Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Brick Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brick Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #295 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then strong wind (23%). Flood insurance has paid 3,533 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 Brick Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brick 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 Brick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brick Township, and Brick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #295 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brick Township’s residents live in 18 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, Brick Township has more expected damage per building than 63% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.2M a year in losses across Brick Township: $19.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brick Township flood? Yes: 3,533 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brick Township, from FEMA’s records: 106.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy3,058 claims · $277M
- The December Storm - nor’easter174 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Irene103 claims · $1.5M
Brick Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brick Township
Disasters that paid out in Brick Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Brick Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$667K to Brick Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy5,655 households applied for aid$24.2M aid approved$14.5M to Brick Township for repairs3,058 flood claims paid for it, $277M
- 2011Hurricane Irene152 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$181K to Brick Township for repairs103 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$470K to Brick Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding150 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$7K to Brick Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$288K to Brick Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$19K to Brick 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 Brick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brick Township archive →Brick Township and its neighbors
Brick Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Wall Township | B−less damage than 52% | strong wind | 54 |
| Howell Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Point Pleasant | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,125 |
| Brick Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3,533 |
| Toms River Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 8,425 |
| Allenwood | — | 757 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Leisure Village East | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Mantoloking | — | 481 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ramtown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Dover Beaches North | — | 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 Brick 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.
- Brick 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 Brick Township
Is Brick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brick Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #295 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and strong wind (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brick Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,533 claims in Brick Township since 1978, $283M in all, or 106.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 89 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (3,058).
Is Brick 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 Brick Township?
Brick 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 Brick Township?
By FEMA money that reached Brick Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 5,655 households applied for aid, $24.2M approved, and $14.5M to Brick Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 3,058 paid, $277M.
Is Brick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Brick Township’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brick 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.