Photo: Ton2cats · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Woodbury faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodbury gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #64 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Woodbury 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
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Woodbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodbury, and Woodbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #64 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodbury’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, Woodbury has less expected damage per building than 87% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Woodbury: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodbury flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodbury, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $23K
Woodbury 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodbury
Disasters that paid out in Woodbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida145 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storm$123K to the City of Woodbury for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy28 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$29K to the City of Woodbury for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene263 households applied for aid$171K aid approved$7K to the City of Woodbury for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $23K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the City of Woodbury for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$23K to the City of Woodbury for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding75 households applied for aid$108K aid approved
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 Woodbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodbury archive →Woodbury and its neighbors
Woodbury is 3rd of the 4 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 |
| Woodbury Heights | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Woodbury | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| West Deptford Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
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 Woodbury 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Woodbury
Is Woodbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodbury has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #64 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Woodbury since 1979, $61K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Woodbury 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 Woodbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodbury’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 Woodbury?
By FEMA money that reached Woodbury, Hurricane Irene (2011): 263 households applied for aid, $171K approved, and $7K to the City of Woodbury for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $23K.
Is Woodbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Woodbury’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodbury’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.