Photo: Ton2cats · CC BY-SA 3.0For coastal flooding, West Deptford Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Deptford Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #134 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%). Flood insurance has paid 103 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 West Deptford Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Deptford 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
Earthquakes
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 West Deptford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Deptford Township, and West Deptford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #134 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Deptford Township’s residents live in 5 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, West Deptford Township has less expected damage per building than 72% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across West Deptford Township: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Deptford Township flood? Yes: 103 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Deptford Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene16 claims · $236K
- Hurricane Sandy7 claims · $235K
- Hurricane Floyd7 claims · $128K
West Deptford 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Deptford Township
Disasters that paid out in West Deptford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Deptford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida16 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storm$37K to West Deptford Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy18 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$15K to West Deptford Township for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $235K
- 2011Hurricane Irene176 households applied for aid$306K aid approved$10K to West Deptford Township for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $236K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to West Deptford Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Snowstorm$66K to West Deptford Township for repairs
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 West Deptford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Deptford Township archive →West Deptford Township and its neighbors
West Deptford Township is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deptford Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Mantua Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Woodbury | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| East Greenwich Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| West Deptford Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| Westville | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Paulsboro | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| National Park | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Thorofare | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Mount Royal | — | 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 West Deptford 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Deptford Township
Is West Deptford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Deptford Township has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #134 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Deptford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 103 claims in West Deptford Township since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (16).
Is West Deptford 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 West Deptford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Deptford 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 West Deptford Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Deptford Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 176 households applied for aid, $306K approved, and $10K to West Deptford Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 16 paid, $236K.
Is West Deptford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and West Deptford Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Deptford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Deptford 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.