Photo: Hornbaker Chelsi, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Beach Haven faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beach Haven gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (44%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 2,192 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 Beach Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Beach Haven faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain 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.
What’s behind Beach Haven’s grade
Coastal flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beach Haven, and Beach Haven’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Beach Haven’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Beach Haven: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beach Haven flood? Yes: 2,192 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beach Haven, from FEMA’s records: 832.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1,437 claims · $79.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter403 claims · $5.5M
- The “Halloween” storm51 claims · $367K
Beach Haven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beach Haven
Disasters that paid out in Beach Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Beach Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2,294 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$3.3M to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs1,437 flood claims paid for it, $79.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$29K to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$27K to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$58K to the Borough of Beach Haven 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 Beach Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beach Haven archive →Beach Haven and its neighbors
Beach Haven is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Egg Harbor Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3,837 |
| Beach Haven | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 2,192 |
| 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 Beach Haven faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Beach Haven residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Beach Haven
Is Beach Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beach Haven has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (44%) and river and rain flooding (43%). 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 Beach Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,192 claims in Beach Haven since 1978, $88.6M in all, or 832.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 85 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1,437).
Is Beach Haven 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 Beach Haven?
Beach Haven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Beach Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Beach Haven, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 2,294 households applied for aid, $4.9M approved, and $3.3M to the Borough of Beach Haven for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1,437 paid, $79.5M.
Is Beach Haven at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Beach Haven’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beach Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beach Haven’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.