Photo: joiseyshowaa · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Colts Neck Township faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colts Neck Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #300 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then strong wind (36%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Colts Neck 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
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 Colts Neck Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colts Neck Township, and Colts Neck Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 36%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #300 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colts Neck Township’s residents live in 3 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, Colts Neck Township has more expected damage per building than 64% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Colts Neck Township: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colts Neck Township flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colts Neck Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $86K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $35K
Colts Neck Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colts Neck Township
Disasters that paid out in Colts Neck Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Colts Neck Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$292K to Colts Neck Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$155K to Colts Neck Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy185 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$1.8M to Colts Neck Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2011Hurricane Irene165 households applied for aid$338K aid approved$136K to Colts Neck Township for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $86K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$131K to Colts Neck Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
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 Colts Neck Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colts Neck Township archive →Colts Neck Township and its neighbors
Colts Neck 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinton Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Howell Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Holmdel Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Colts Neck Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Marlboro Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Lincroft | — | 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 Colts Neck 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Colts Neck Township
Is Colts Neck Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colts Neck Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #300 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and strong wind (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colts Neck Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Colts Neck Township since 1978, $560K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Colts Neck 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 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 Colts Neck Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colts Neck Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Colts Neck Township?
By FEMA money that reached Colts Neck Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 185 households applied for aid, $30K approved, and $1.8M to Colts Neck Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $86K.
Is Colts Neck Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Colts Neck Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colts Neck Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colts Neck 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.