Photo: Freeholdman12 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Allentown than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allentown gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then strong wind (37%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
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 Allentown 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
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 Allentown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Allentown, and Allentown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Allentown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $797K a year in losses across Allentown: $649K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Allentown flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Allentown, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $83K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Allentown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Allentown
Disasters that paid out in Allentown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Allentown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$12K to the Borough of Allentown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy51 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$35K to the Borough of Allentown for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $83K
- 2011Hurricane Irene40 households applied for aid$114K aid approved$52K to the Borough of Allentown for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Monmouth County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe 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 Allentown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Allentown archive →Allentown and its neighbors
Allentown is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robbinsville Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Upper Freehold Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Allentown | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Allentown 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.
- 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 Allentown
Is Allentown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allentown has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and strong wind (37%). 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 Allentown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Allentown since 2007, $94K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Allentown 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 Monmouth County, 70% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Allentown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Allentown’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 Allentown?
By FEMA money that reached Allentown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 40 households applied for aid, $114K approved, and $52K to the Borough of Allentown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Allentown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Allentown’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Allentown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Allentown’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.