Photo: Jared Kofsky/Placenj.com · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Vernon Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #125 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then strong wind (18%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Vernon 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 Vernon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vernon Township, and Vernon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #125 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vernon Township’s residents live in 6 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, Vernon Township has less expected damage per building than 73% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Vernon Township: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vernon Township flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vernon 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 Irene6 claims · $100K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $1K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $6K
Vernon 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: Sussex County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vernon Township
Disasters that paid out in Vernon Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Vernon Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$80K to Vernon Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$48K to Vernon Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy25 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$71K to Vernon Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$51K to Vernon Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$142K to Vernon Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene152 households applied for aid$370K aid approved$257K to Vernon Township for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $100K
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$29K to Vernon Township for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$854 aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$1K to Vernon Township for repairs
Sussex County has had 20 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 Vernon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vernon Township archive →Vernon Township and its neighbors
Vernon Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardyston Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Vernon Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Warwick | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Wantage Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| West Milford Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
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 Vernon 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 Vernon Township
Is Vernon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon Township has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #125 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and strong wind (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vernon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Vernon Township since 1978, $129K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (6).
Is Vernon 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vernon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vernon 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 Vernon Township?
By FEMA money that reached Vernon Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 152 households applied for aid, $370K approved, and $257K to Vernon Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 6 paid, $100K.
Is Vernon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Vernon Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vernon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vernon 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.