Photo: Nicholas · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts White Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #406 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1989.
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 White 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 White Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Township, and White Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #406 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of White Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, White Township has more expected damage per building than 87% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across White Township: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Township flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Township, from FEMA’s records: 21.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $31K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $15K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $15K
White 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: Warren County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Township
Disasters that paid out in White Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to White Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$421K to White Township for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to White Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to White Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$66K to White Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$21K to White Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$13K to White Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to White Township for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to White Township for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
Warren County has had 19 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 White Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Township archive →White Township and its neighbors
White Township is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Upper Mount Bethel Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 124 |
| Hope Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Knowlton Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Harmony Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 321 |
| White Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Lower Mount Bethel Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 228 |
| Belvidere | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Brookfield | — | 673 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Buttzville | — | 198 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hutchinson | — | 114 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 White 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 White Township
Is White Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Township has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #406 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in White Township since 1989, $1.8M in all, or 21.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is White 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 Warren County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White 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 White Township?
By FEMA money that reached White Township, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): $421K to White Township for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $31K.
Is White Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and White Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White 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.