Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Union Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #77 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then strong wind (12%). Flood insurance has paid 441 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 Union Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Union 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 Union Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union Township, and Union Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #77 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Union 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, Union Township has less expected damage per building than 84% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Union Township: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union Township flood? Yes: 441 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Union Township, from FEMA’s records: 193.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida120 claims · $7.5M
- Hurricane Irene113 claims · $2.9M
- Hurricane Floyd45 claims · $653K
Union 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: Hunterdon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union Township
Disasters that paid out in Union Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Union Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to Union Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$38K to Union Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$15K to Union Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$19K to Union Township for repairs113 flood claims paid for it, $2.9M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$962 to Union Township for repairs45 flood claims paid for it, $653K
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 Union Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union Township archive →Union Township and its neighbors
Union Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 441 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clinton Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Bethlehem Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lebanon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Alexandria Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Clinton | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
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 Union 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 Union Township
Is Union Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union Township has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #77 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and strong wind (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 Union Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 441 claims in Union Township since 1978, $12.9M in all, or 193.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 41 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (120).
Is Union 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Union Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union 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 Union Township?
By FEMA money that reached Union Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $38K to Union Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 120 paid, $7.5M.
Is Union Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Union Township’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union 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.