Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Upper Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #296 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 388 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 Upper Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Upper 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
Hurricanes
Coastal 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 Upper Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Township, and Upper Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #296 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Upper Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Upper Township has more expected damage per building than 63% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Upper Township: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Township flood? Yes: 388 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Township, from FEMA’s records: 58.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy170 claims · $7.1M
- The December Storm - nor’easter22 claims · $414K
- The Winter Storm Jonas18 claims · $723K
Upper Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Upper Township
Disasters that paid out in Upper Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Upper Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$187K to Upper Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to Upper Township for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$338K to Upper Township for repairs170 flood claims paid for it, $7.1M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$53K to Upper Township for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $52K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2.6M to Upper Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to Upper Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$145K to Upper Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$16K to Upper Township for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Upper Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Township archive →Upper Township and its neighbors
Upper Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Estell Manor | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Upper Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Maurice River Township | Cmore damage than 70% | coastal flooding | 124 |
| Sea Isle City | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 2,367 |
| Ocean City | D−more damage than 96% | coastal flooding | 7,807 |
| Corbin City | — | 662 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Belleplain | — | 495 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Strathmere | — | 266 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ocean View | — | 728 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Seaville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Upper Township residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Upper Township
Is Upper Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #296 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Upper Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 388 claims in Upper Township since 1978, $10.0M in all, or 58.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 36 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (170).
Is Upper 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Upper Township?
Upper Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Township?
By FEMA money that reached Upper Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2010): $2.6M to Upper Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 170 paid, $7.1M.
Is Upper Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Upper Township’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper 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.