Barnegat Light Public School · Photo: James Welsh · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Barnegat Light
Barnegat Light isn’t graded for hazard risk: Barnegat Light has 500 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 147 claims here since 1979.
What Barnegat Light 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
Coastal 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.
Does Barnegat Light flood? Yes: 147 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Barnegat Light, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Sandy112 claims · $2.4M
- The December Storm - nor’easter17 claims · $139K
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $3K
Barnegat Light is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barnegat Light
Disasters that paid out in Barnegat Light itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Barnegat Light), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy129 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$93K to the Borough of Barnegat Light for repairs112 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$6K to the Borough of Barnegat Light for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Borough of Barnegat Light for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Snowstorm$3K to the Borough of Barnegat Light for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$18K to the Borough of Barnegat Light for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
Ocean County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ocean County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of Barnegat Light after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barnegat Light archive →Barnegat Light and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
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 Barnegat Light 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Barnegat Light 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 Barnegat Light
Does Barnegat Light flood?
Flood insurance has paid 147 claims in Barnegat Light since 1979, $2.7M in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (112).
Is Barnegat Light 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 Ocean County, 71% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Barnegat Light?
Barnegat Light 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 Barnegat Light?
By FEMA money that reached Barnegat Light, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 129 households applied for aid, $96K approved, and $93K to the Borough of Barnegat Light for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 112 paid, $2.4M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barnegat Light.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barnegat Light’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.