Less hazard damage per building is expected in Stow Creek Township than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stow Creek Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then coastal flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Stow Creek Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stow Creek 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 Stow Creek Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stow Creek Township, and Stow Creek Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stow Creek Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $782K a year in losses across Stow Creek Township: $432K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stow Creek Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stow Creek Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $16K
Stow Creek 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: Cumberland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stow Creek Township
Disasters that paid out in Stow Creek Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Stow Creek Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to Stow Creek Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to Stow Creek Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to Stow Creek Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$2K to Stow Creek Township for repairs
Cumberland County has had 23 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 Stow Creek Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stow Creek Township archive →Stow Creek Township and its neighbors
Stow Creek Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopewell Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Alloway Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stow Creek Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Quinton Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lower Alloways Creek Township | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 4 |
| Greenwich Township | — | 731 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Shiloh | — | 228 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Marlboro | — | 76 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 Stow Creek 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.
- 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.
- 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 Stow Creek Township
Is Stow Creek Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stow Creek Township has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and coastal flooding (25%). 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 Stow Creek Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Stow Creek Township since 1998, $18K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Stow Creek 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 Cumberland County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stow Creek Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stow Creek 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 Stow Creek Township?
By FEMA money that reached Stow Creek Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $11K to Stow Creek Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Stow Creek Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Stow Creek Township’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stow Creek Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stow Creek 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.