Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Washington Township than in 76% 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 76% of U.S. towns, #72 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 90 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
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 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Washington Township, and Washington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #72 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Washington Township’s residents live in 4 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 85% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Washington Township: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Washington Township flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Washington Township, from FEMA’s records: 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene28 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Floyd5 claims · $29K
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: Morris County.The storms Washington Township remembers
None of the 25 disasters declared for Morris County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Washington Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201137 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storm, declared for Morris County
- 199611 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Morris County
- 19799 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Morris County has had 25 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 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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Mount Olive Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Mansfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Chester Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Tewksbury Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Hackettstown | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Lebanon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Beattystown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pottersville | — | 245 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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.
- 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 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #72 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Washington Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Washington Township since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (28).
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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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 flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 28 paid, $1.4M.
Is Washington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Washington Township’s rate for it is higher than 52% 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.