Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Washington Township than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #9 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%). Flood insurance has paid 190 claims here since 1979.
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 Washington Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Washington 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
Earthquakes
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 Washington Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington Township, and Washington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #9 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington Township’s residents live in 11 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, Washington Township has less expected damage per building than 98% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across Washington Township: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington Township flood? Yes: 190 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene41 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Sandy18 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Floyd14 claims · $124K
Washington 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: Gloucester County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Washington Township
Disasters that paid out in Washington Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Washington Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$150K to Washington Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to Washington Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$131K to Washington Township for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2011Severe Storm$130K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$39K to Washington Township for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to Washington Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$11K to Washington Township for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$31K to Washington Township for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $124K
Gloucester County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe 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 Washington Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Washington Township archive →Washington Township and its neighbors
Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glassboro | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pitman | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Deptford Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Monroe Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| Mantua Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Gloucester Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Sicklerville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Grenloch | — | 666 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sewell | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Turnersville | — | 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 Washington 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Washington Township
Is Washington Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Washington Township has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #9 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 190 claims in Washington Township since 1979, $5.0M in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (41).
Is Washington 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 Gloucester County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Washington Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Washington 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 Washington Township?
By FEMA money that reached Washington Township, Tropical Storm Isaias (2020): $150K to Washington Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 41 paid, $1.6M.
Is Washington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Washington Township’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Washington Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Washington 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.