Photo: David Ames 1991 · Public domainBarnegat Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnegat Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #268 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then strong wind (21%). Flood insurance has paid 239 claims here since 1981.
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 Barnegat Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Barnegat Township 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
Wildfire
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 Barnegat Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barnegat Township, and Barnegat Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #268 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barnegat Township’s residents live in 4 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, Barnegat Township has more expected damage per building than 57% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Barnegat Township: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barnegat Township flood? Yes: 239 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Barnegat Township, from FEMA’s records: 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy158 claims · $6.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter39 claims · $339K
- The “Halloween” storm7 claims · $48K
Barnegat Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barnegat Township
Disasters that paid out in Barnegat Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Barnegat Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds$35K to Barnegat Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$94K to Barnegat Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy539 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$1.5M to Barnegat Township for repairs158 flood claims paid for it, $6.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene18 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$58K to Barnegat Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$96K to Barnegat Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$15K to Barnegat Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$91K to Barnegat Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$36K to Barnegat Township for repairs
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 Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barnegat Township archive →Barnegat Township and its neighbors
Barnegat Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Barnegat Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| Ocean Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Stafford Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4,207 |
| Lacey Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,767 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
| Harvey Cedars | — | 487 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 Barnegat Township 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Township residents get 20% 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 Township
Is Barnegat Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnegat Township has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #268 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and strong wind (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Barnegat Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 239 claims in Barnegat Township since 1981, $7.5M in all, or 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (158).
Is Barnegat Township 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 Township?
Barnegat Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Township?
By FEMA money that reached Barnegat Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 539 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $1.5M to Barnegat Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 158 paid, $6.9M.
Is Barnegat Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Barnegat Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barnegat Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barnegat Township’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.