Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Shamong Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shamong Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #56 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then wildfire (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2009.
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 Shamong 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
Wildfire
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 Shamong Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shamong Township, and Shamong Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #56 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Shamong Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Shamong Township has less expected damage per building than 88% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Shamong Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shamong Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shamong Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $608
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $2K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $709
Shamong 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: Burlington County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shamong Township
Disasters that paid out in Shamong Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Shamong Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$23K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$33K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$5K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$11K to Shamong Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$23K to Shamong Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$3K to Shamong Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$980 to Shamong Township for repairs
Burlington County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burlington County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Shamong Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shamong Township archive →Shamong Township and its neighbors
Shamong Township is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Shamong Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Tabernacle Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hammonton | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Medford Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 175 |
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 Shamong 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Shamong Township
Is Shamong Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shamong Township has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #56 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and wildfire (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shamong Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Shamong Township since 2009, $9K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Shamong 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 Burlington County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shamong Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shamong 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 Shamong Township?
By FEMA money that reached Shamong Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 18 households applied for aid, $37K approved, and $980 to Shamong Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $608.
Is Shamong Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Shamong Township’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shamong Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shamong 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.