Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Roxbury Township faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roxbury Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #67 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Roxbury Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roxbury Township 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
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 Roxbury Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roxbury Township, and Roxbury Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #67 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roxbury Township’s residents live in 5 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, Roxbury Township has less expected damage per building than 86% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Roxbury Township: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roxbury Township flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roxbury Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $40K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $7K
Roxbury Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morris County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roxbury Township
Disasters that paid out in Roxbury Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Roxbury Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$209K to Roxbury Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$145K to Roxbury Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$158K to Roxbury Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$129K to Roxbury Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$313K to Roxbury Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$192K to Roxbury Township for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene$118K to Roxbury Township for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to Roxbury Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to Roxbury Township for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$11K to Roxbury Township for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$14K to Roxbury Township for repairs
Morris County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Roxbury Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roxbury Township archive →Roxbury Township and its neighbors
Roxbury Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Arlington | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mine Hill Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hopatcong | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Roxbury Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Randolph Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Byram Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Succasunna | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Landing | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Port Morris | — | 858 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kenvil | — | 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 Roxbury Township 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.
- 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 Roxbury Township
Is Roxbury Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roxbury Township has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #67 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roxbury Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Roxbury Township since 1980, $100K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Roxbury Township 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Roxbury Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roxbury Township’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 Roxbury Township?
By FEMA money that reached Roxbury Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $313K to Roxbury Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $40K.
Is Roxbury Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Roxbury Township’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roxbury Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roxbury Township’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.