Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA puts Upper Pittsgrove Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Pittsgrove Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #16 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then strong wind (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Upper Pittsgrove 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
Earthquakes
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 Upper Pittsgrove Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Pittsgrove Township, and Upper Pittsgrove Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #16 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Upper Pittsgrove 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, Upper Pittsgrove Township has less expected damage per building than 97% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Upper Pittsgrove Township: $833K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Pittsgrove Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Pittsgrove 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 Irene1 claim · $3K
Upper Pittsgrove 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: Salem County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Upper Pittsgrove Township
Disasters that paid out in Upper Pittsgrove Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Upper Pittsgrove Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$25K to Upper Pittsgrove Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$169K to Upper Pittsgrove Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to Upper Pittsgrove Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to Upper Pittsgrove Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$13K to Upper Pittsgrove Township for repairs
Salem County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Upper Pittsgrove Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Pittsgrove Township archive →Upper Pittsgrove Township and its neighbors
Upper Pittsgrove Township is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Elmer | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Upper Pittsgrove Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Franklin Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| South Harrison Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pittsgrove Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pilesgrove Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Upper Pittsgrove 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Upper Pittsgrove Township
Is Upper Pittsgrove Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Pittsgrove Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #16 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and strong wind (14%). 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 Upper Pittsgrove Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Upper Pittsgrove Township since 2011, $32K 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 (1).
Is Upper Pittsgrove 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 Salem County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Upper Pittsgrove Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Pittsgrove 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 Upper Pittsgrove Township?
By FEMA money that reached Upper Pittsgrove Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): $169K to Upper Pittsgrove Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Upper Pittsgrove Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Upper Pittsgrove Township’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Pittsgrove Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Pittsgrove 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.