Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Atlantic Highlands’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atlantic Highlands gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #240 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then strong wind (40%). Flood insurance has paid 69 claims here since 1984.
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 Atlantic Highlands 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 Atlantic Highlands’ grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atlantic Highlands, and Atlantic Highlands’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #240 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Atlantic Highlands’ 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, Atlantic Highlands has more expected damage per building than 51% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Atlantic Highlands: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atlantic Highlands flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atlantic Highlands, from FEMA’s records: 31.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy40 claims · $3.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter10 claims · $149K
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $115K
Atlantic Highlands 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 Atlantic Highlands
Disasters that paid out in Atlantic Highlands itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$95K to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy318 households applied for aid$314K aid approved$1.0M to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs40 flood claims paid for it, $3.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene124 households applied for aid$167K aid approved$60K to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $115K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$293K to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs
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 Atlantic Highlands after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atlantic Highlands archive →Atlantic Highlands and its neighbors
Atlantic Highlands has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Highlands | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Highlands | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1,527 |
| Navesink | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Leonardo | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Atlantic Highlands 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 Atlantic Highlands
Is Atlantic Highlands at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atlantic Highlands has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #240 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and strong wind (40%). 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 Atlantic Highlands flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in Atlantic Highlands since 1984, $3.9M in all, or 31.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (40).
Is Atlantic Highlands 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 Atlantic Highlands?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atlantic Highlands’ 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 Atlantic Highlands?
By FEMA money that reached Atlantic Highlands, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 318 households applied for aid, $314K approved, and $1.0M to the Borough of Atlantic Highlands for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 40 paid, $3.5M.
Is Atlantic Highlands at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Atlantic Highlands’ rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atlantic Highlands.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atlantic Highlands’ 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.