Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Berkeley Township than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkeley Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #312 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then strong wind (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1,689 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 Berkeley Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Berkeley 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
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 Berkeley Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berkeley Township, and Berkeley Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #312 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berkeley Township’s residents live in 14 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, Berkeley Township has more expected damage per building than 67% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.7M a year in losses across Berkeley Township: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berkeley Township flood? Yes: 1,689 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berkeley Township, from FEMA’s records: 67.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1,397 claims · $77.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter118 claims · $1.5M
- Hurricane Irene30 claims · $580K
Berkeley Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berkeley Township
Disasters that paid out in Berkeley Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Berkeley Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$320K to Berkeley Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$2.6M to Berkeley Township for repairs1,397 flood claims paid for it, $77.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$44K to Berkeley Township for repairs30 flood claims paid for it, $580K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$311K to Berkeley Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$37K to Berkeley Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$236K to Berkeley Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$34K to Berkeley 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 Berkeley Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berkeley Township archive →Berkeley Township and its neighbors
Berkeley Township is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beachwood | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Pine Beach | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Toms River Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 8,425 |
| Berkeley Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1,689 |
| South Toms River | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Ocean Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Lacey Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,767 |
| Seaside Park | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 858 |
| Holiday City South | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Holiday City-Berkeley | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Holiday Heights | — | 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 Berkeley 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.
- 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.
- Berkeley Township 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 Berkeley Township
Is Berkeley Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkeley Township has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #312 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and strong wind (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berkeley Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,689 claims in Berkeley Township since 1978, $81.3M in all, or 67.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 42 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1,397).
Is Berkeley 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 Berkeley Township?
Berkeley Township 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 Berkeley Township?
By FEMA money that reached Berkeley Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $2.6M to Berkeley Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1,397 paid, $77.3M.
Is Berkeley Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Berkeley Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berkeley Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berkeley 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.