Photo: Jared Kofsky/Placenj.com · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Springfield Township faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #343 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 337 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 Springfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Springfield 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
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 Springfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield Township, and Springfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C #343 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield Township’s residents live in 3 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, Springfield Township has more expected damage per building than 73% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Springfield Township: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springfield Township flood? Yes: 337 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 46.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene125 claims · $4.5M
- Hurricane Ida69 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Floyd55 claims · $616K
Springfield 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: Union County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Springfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Springfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida333 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved69 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 2012Hurricane Sandy455 households applied for aid$47K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene304 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved125 flood claims paid for it, $4.5M
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding21 households applied for aid$27K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
Union County has had 21 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 Springfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield Township archive →Springfield Township and its neighbors
Springfield Township is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Kenilworth | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 154 |
| Union Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 361 |
| Summit | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Cranford Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1,484 |
| Millburn Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 303 |
| Springfield Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 337 |
| Short Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Vauxhall | — | 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 Springfield 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.
- 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 Springfield Township
Is Springfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield Township has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #343 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 337 claims in Springfield Township since 1978, $8.7M in all, or 46.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (125).
Is Springfield 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 Union County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Springfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield 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 Springfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 333 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 125 paid, $4.5M.
Is Springfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Springfield Township’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield 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.