Casper and Abraham Shafer Grist Mill Complex · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0For strong wind, Stillwater Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stillwater Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #224 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then strong wind (17%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stillwater Township, and Stillwater Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #224 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stillwater 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, Stillwater Township has less expected damage per building than 52% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Stillwater Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stillwater Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stillwater Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $87K
Stillwater 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stillwater Township
Disasters that paid out in Stillwater Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Stillwater Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to Stillwater Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$14K to Stillwater Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4 households applied for aid$500 aid approved$12K to Stillwater Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$8K to Stillwater Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$9K to Stillwater Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene16 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$47K to Stillwater Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $87K
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$9K to Stillwater Township for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$6K to Stillwater Township for repairs
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 Stillwater Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stillwater Township archive →Stillwater Township and its neighbors
Stillwater Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frelinghuysen Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fredon Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hardwick Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hampton Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stillwater Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Walpack Township | — | 4 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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater Township
Is Stillwater Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stillwater Township has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #224 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and strong wind (17%). 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 Stillwater Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Stillwater Township since 2011, $87K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Stillwater 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 Stillwater Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stillwater 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 Stillwater Township?
By FEMA money that reached Stillwater Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 16 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $47K to Stillwater Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $87K.
Is Stillwater Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Stillwater Township’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stillwater Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stillwater 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.