Cavarly Cottage · Photo: James Welsh · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Stafford Township than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stafford Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #356 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then strong wind (17%). Flood insurance has paid 4,207 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 Stafford Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stafford 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
Coastal flooding
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 Stafford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stafford Township, and Stafford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #356 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stafford Township’s residents live in 7 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, Stafford Township has more expected damage per building than 76% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Stafford Township: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stafford Township flood? Yes: 4,207 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stafford Township, from FEMA’s records: 279.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy3,067 claims · $259M
- The December Storm - nor’easter665 claims · $7.0M
- The “Halloween” storm52 claims · $193K
Stafford Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stafford Township
Disasters that paid out in Stafford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Stafford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$166K to Stafford Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$4.9M to Stafford Township for repairs3,067 flood claims paid for it, $259M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$90K to Stafford Township for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$172K to Stafford Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to Stafford Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$192K to Stafford Township for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Ocean County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ocean County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of Stafford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stafford Township archive →Stafford Township and its neighbors
Stafford Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnegat Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| Stafford Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4,207 |
| Eagleswood Township | C−more damage than 83% | coastal flooding | 175 |
| Ship Bottom | Dmore damage than 88% | coastal flooding | 1,424 |
| Surf City | Dmore damage than 88% | coastal flooding | 1,099 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
| Harvey Cedars | — | 487 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 Stafford 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Stafford Township residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Stafford Township
Is Stafford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stafford Township has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #356 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and strong wind (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stafford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4,207 claims in Stafford Township since 1978, $270M in all, or 279.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 118 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (3,067).
Is Stafford 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 Ocean County, 71% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stafford Township?
Stafford Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Stafford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Stafford Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $4.9M to Stafford Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 3,067 paid, $259M.
Is Stafford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Stafford Township’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stafford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stafford 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.