Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pitman than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pitman gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #7 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1985.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Pitman faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Strong wind
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Pitman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pitman, and Pitman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #7 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pitman’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Pitman has less expected damage per building than 99% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Pitman: $994K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pitman flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pitman, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $42K
Pitman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gloucester County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pitman
Disasters that paid out in Pitman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Pitman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storm$264K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$21K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene81 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$18K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$112K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$2K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$20K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding23 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
Gloucester County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Pitman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pitman archive →Pitman and its neighbors
Pitman is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glassboro | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pitman | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Mantua Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Richwood | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Pitman faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pitman
Is Pitman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pitman has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #7 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pitman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pitman since 1985, $42K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Gloria (1).
Is Pitman in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Gloucester County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pitman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pitman’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Pitman?
By FEMA money that reached Pitman, Severe Storm (2015): $264K to the Borough of Pitman for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gloria: 1 paid, $42K.
Is Pitman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Pitman’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pitman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pitman’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.