Photo: Smallbones · Public domainWoodstown’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodstown gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #267 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1999.
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 Woodstown 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
Strong wind
Earthquakes
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 Woodstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodstown, and Woodstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #267 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Woodstown’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, Woodstown has more expected damage per building than 57% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Woodstown: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodstown flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodstown, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $3K
Woodstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Salem County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodstown
Disasters that paid out in Woodstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Woodstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$10K to the Borough of Woodstown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene61 households applied for aid$144K aid approved$68K to the Borough of Woodstown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Borough of Woodstown for repairs
Salem County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Woodstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodstown archive →Get ready for what Woodstown 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Woodstown
Is Woodstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodstown has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #267 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and strong wind (7%). 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 Woodstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Woodstown since 1999, $3K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Woodstown 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 Salem County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodstown’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 Woodstown?
By FEMA money that reached Woodstown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 61 households applied for aid, $144K approved, and $68K to the Borough of Woodstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Woodstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Woodstown’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodstown’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.