Photo: Lhcollins · CC BY-SA 4.0Avon-by-the-Sea’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avon-by-the-Sea gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (42%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 255 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Avon-by-the-Sea’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Avon-by-the-Sea faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Avon-by-the-Sea’s grade
Strong wind is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Avon-by-the-Sea, and Avon-by-the-Sea’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Avon-by-the-Sea’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $837K a year in losses across Avon-by-the-Sea: $744K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Avon-by-the-Sea flood? Yes: 255 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Avon-by-the-Sea, from FEMA’s records: 203.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy160 claims · $13.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter41 claims · $463K
- Hurricane Irene15 claims · $174K
Avon-by-the-Sea is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Avon-by-the-Sea
Disasters that paid out in Avon-by-the-Sea itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy290 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$3.8M to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea for repairs160 flood claims paid for it, $13.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene11 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$116K to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $174K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$12K to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea 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 Avon-by-the-Sea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Avon-by-the-Sea archive →Avon-by-the-Sea and its neighbors
Avon-by-the-Sea is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neptune City | Bless damage than 56% | strong wind | 42 |
| Belmar | Bless damage than 55% | strong wind | 431 |
| Bradley Beach | B−less damage than 50% | strong wind | 70 |
| Neptune Township | B−more damage than 52% | strong wind | 364 |
| Avon-by-the-Sea | B−more damage than 52% | strong wind | 255 |
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 Avon-by-the-Sea faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Avon-by-the-Sea residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Avon-by-the-Sea
Is Avon-by-the-Sea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avon-by-the-Sea has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (42%) and river and rain flooding (39%). 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 Avon-by-the-Sea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 255 claims in Avon-by-the-Sea since 1978, $14.7M in all, or 203.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (160).
Is Avon-by-the-Sea 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 Avon-by-the-Sea?
Avon-by-the-Sea is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Avon-by-the-Sea?
By FEMA money that reached Avon-by-the-Sea, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 290 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $3.8M to the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 160 paid, $13.9M.
Is Avon-by-the-Sea at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Avon-by-the-Sea’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Avon-by-the-Sea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Avon-by-the-Sea’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.