Photo: Mike Sheridan · CC BY 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Sewell
Sewell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sewell is a Census area inside a town, graded with the town. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2010.
What Sewell 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.
Does Sewell flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sewell, from FEMA’s records.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $23K
Sewell 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.The storms Sewell remembers
None of the 20 disasters declared for Gloucester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Sewell itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20112 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irene, declared for Gloucester County
- 20101 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Gloucester County
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 Sewell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sewell archive →Sewell and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Deptford Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Mantua Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Wenonah | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Sewell 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 Sewell
Does Sewell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Sewell since 2010, $41K in all. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Sewell 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 Sewell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sewell’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 Sewell?
By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $3K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sewell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sewell’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.