Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Harrison Township than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Harrison Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #36 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 South Harrison 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
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 South Harrison Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Harrison Township, and South Harrison Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #36 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Harrison 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, South Harrison Township has less expected damage per building than 93% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across South Harrison Township: $698K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Harrison Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Harrison Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Harrison 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: Gloucester County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Harrison Township
Disasters that paid out in South Harrison Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Harrison Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$4K to South Harrison Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$95K to South Harrison Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to South Harrison Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$9K to South Harrison Township for repairs
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 South Harrison Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Harrison Township archive →South Harrison Township and its neighbors
South Harrison Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Upper Pittsgrove Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Harrison Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| South Harrison Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Woolwich Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Pilesgrove Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Harrisonville | — | 227 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 South Harrison 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.
- 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 South Harrison Township
Is South Harrison Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Harrison Township has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #36 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (7%). 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 South Harrison Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Harrison Township since 1980, $619 in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Harrison 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 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 South Harrison Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Harrison 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 South Harrison Township?
By FEMA money that reached South Harrison Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): $95K to South Harrison Township for repairs.
Is South Harrison Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and South Harrison Township’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Harrison Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Harrison 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.