Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Asbury Park’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Asbury Park gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #239 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then strong wind (41%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1983.
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 Asbury Park 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
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 Asbury Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Asbury Park, and Asbury Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 41%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #239 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Asbury Park’s residents live in 6 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, Asbury Park has more expected damage per building than 51% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Asbury Park: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Asbury Park flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Asbury Park, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy17 claims · $3.3M
- The Torrential rain12 claims · $176K
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $159K
Asbury Park 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Asbury Park
Disasters that paid out in Asbury Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Asbury Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$31K to the City of Asbury Park for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$46K to the City of Asbury Park for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,352 households applied for aid$475K aid approved$4.7M to the City of Asbury Park for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $3.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene192 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$59K to the City of Asbury Park for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $159K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the City of Asbury Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K 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 Asbury Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Asbury Park archive →Asbury Park and its neighbors
Asbury Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Township | B−more damage than 51% | strong wind | 945 |
| Neptune Township | B−more damage than 52% | strong wind | 364 |
| Asbury Park | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Wanamassa | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Ocean Grove | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Loch Arbour | — | 185 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Interlaken | — | 939 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 Asbury Park 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.
- 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 Asbury Park
Is Asbury Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Asbury Park has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #239 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and strong wind (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Asbury Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Asbury Park since 1983, $4.1M in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (17).
Is Asbury Park 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 Asbury Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Asbury Park’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 Asbury Park?
By FEMA money that reached Asbury Park, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,352 households applied for aid, $475K approved, and $4.7M to the City of Asbury Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 17 paid, $3.3M.
Is Asbury Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Asbury Park’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Asbury Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Asbury Park’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.