Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Sparta Township than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sparta Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #70 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then strong wind (24%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1978.
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 Sparta Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sparta 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
Strong wind
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 Sparta Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sparta Township, and Sparta Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #70 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sparta Township’s residents live in 4 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, Sparta Township has less expected damage per building than 85% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Sparta Township: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sparta Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sparta Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $13K
Sparta 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: Sussex County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sparta Township
Disasters that paid out in Sparta Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sparta Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$168K to Sparta Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$46K to Sparta Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy280 households applied for aid$74K aid approved$473K to Sparta Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$44K to Sparta Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene334 households applied for aid$746K aid approved$86K to Sparta Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $13K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$3K to Sparta Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$590K to Sparta Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Sussex County has had 20 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 Sparta Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sparta Township archive →Sparta Township and its neighbors
Sparta Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Hardyston Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Andover Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ogdensburg | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lafayette Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Sparta 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sparta Township
Is Sparta Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sparta Township has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #70 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and strong wind (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sparta Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Sparta Township since 1978, $33K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Sparta 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sparta Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sparta 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 Sparta Township?
By FEMA money that reached Sparta Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 334 households applied for aid, $746K approved, and $86K to Sparta Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $13K.
Is Sparta Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Sparta Township’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sparta Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sparta 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.