Photo: BaghChal · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Bradley Beach’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bradley Beach gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #193 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (43%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 70 claims here since 1979.
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 Bradley Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bradley Beach 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
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 Bradley Beach’s grade
Strong wind is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bradley Beach, and Bradley Beach’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 43% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #193 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bradley Beach’s residents live in 2 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, Bradley Beach has less expected damage per building than 59% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Bradley Beach: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bradley Beach flood? Sometimes: 70 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bradley Beach, from FEMA’s records: 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy38 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $31K
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $4K
Bradley Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bradley Beach
Disasters that paid out in Bradley Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Bradley Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$22K to the Borough of Bradley Beach for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Borough of Bradley Beach for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy321 households applied for aid$660K aid approved$2.6M to the Borough of Bradley Beach for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene17 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$135K to the Borough of Bradley Beach for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Borough of Bradley Beach for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$475 aid approved$92K to the Borough of Bradley Beach 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 Bradley Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bradley Beach archive →Bradley Beach and its neighbors
Bradley Beach has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Ocean Grove | — | 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 Bradley Beach 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.
- 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.
- Bradley Beach 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 Bradley Beach
Is Bradley Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bradley Beach has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #193 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (43%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bradley Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 70 claims in Bradley Beach since 1979, $2.8M in all, or 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (38).
Is Bradley Beach 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 Bradley Beach?
Bradley Beach 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 Bradley Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Bradley Beach, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 321 households applied for aid, $660K approved, and $2.6M to the Borough of Bradley Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 38 paid, $2.5M.
Is Bradley Beach at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Bradley Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bradley Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bradley Beach’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.