Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0Wantage Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wantage Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #203 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then strong wind (14%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1983.
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 Wantage 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 Wantage Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wantage Township, and Wantage Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #203 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wantage 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, Wantage Township has less expected damage per building than 57% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Wantage Township: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wantage Township flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wantage 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 Irene5 claims · $179K
Wantage 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wantage Township
Disasters that paid out in Wantage Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wantage Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$80K to Wantage Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$28K to Wantage Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy25 households applied for aid$50K to Wantage Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$33K to Wantage Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$8K to Wantage Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene99 households applied for aid$236K aid approved$242K to Wantage Township for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $179K
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$30K to Wantage 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 Wantage Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wantage Township archive →Wantage Township and its neighbors
Wantage Township is 3rd 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 |
| Wantage Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Frankford Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Montague Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Wantage 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 Wantage Township
Is Wantage Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wantage Township has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #203 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and strong wind (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wantage Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Wantage Township since 1983, $181K 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 (5).
Is Wantage 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 Wantage Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wantage 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 Wantage Township?
By FEMA money that reached Wantage Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 99 households applied for aid, $236K approved, and $242K to Wantage Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $179K.
Is Wantage Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Wantage Township’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wantage Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wantage 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.