Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Swedesboro than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swedesboro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #33 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1999.
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 Swedesboro 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
Strong wind
Coastal flooding
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 Swedesboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Swedesboro, and Swedesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #33 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Swedesboro’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, Swedesboro has less expected damage per building than 93% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $611K a year in losses across Swedesboro: $434K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Swedesboro flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Swedesboro, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $3K
Swedesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gloucester County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Swedesboro
Disasters that paid out in Swedesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Swedesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida54 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storm$9K to the Borough of Swedesboro for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7 households applied for aid$2K to the Borough of Swedesboro for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene101 households applied for aid$165K aid approved$28K to the Borough of Swedesboro for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$620 aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Borough of Swedesboro for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$9K to the Borough of Swedesboro for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Gloucester County has had 20 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 Swedesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Swedesboro archive →Get ready for what Swedesboro 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.
- 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.
- 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 Swedesboro
Is Swedesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swedesboro has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #33 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (12%). 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 Swedesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Swedesboro since 1999, $3K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Swedesboro 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 Gloucester County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Swedesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Swedesboro’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 Swedesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Swedesboro, Hurricane Irene (2011): 101 households applied for aid, $165K approved, and $28K to the Borough of Swedesboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Swedesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Swedesboro’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Swedesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Swedesboro’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.