Photo: Fool4myCanon · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Eatontown than in 70% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eatontown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #326 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then strong wind (38%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1984.
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 Eatontown 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
Earthquakes
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 Eatontown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eatontown, and Eatontown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 38%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #326 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eatontown’s residents live in 4 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, Eatontown has more expected damage per building than 70% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Eatontown: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eatontown flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eatontown, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $8K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $106K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $8K
Eatontown 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eatontown
Disasters that paid out in Eatontown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Eatontown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the Borough of Eatontown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy413 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$648K to the Borough of Eatontown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $106K
- 2011Hurricane Irene54 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$82K to the Borough of Eatontown for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $8K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the Borough of Eatontown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$15K 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 Eatontown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eatontown archive →Eatontown and its neighbors
Eatontown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Township | B−more damage than 51% | strong wind | 945 |
| Tinton Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| West Long Branch | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Shrewsbury | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Eatontown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Oceanport | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 871 |
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 Eatontown 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Eatontown
Is Eatontown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eatontown has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #326 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and strong wind (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eatontown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Eatontown since 1984, $126K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Eatontown 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 Eatontown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eatontown’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 Eatontown?
By FEMA money that reached Eatontown, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 413 households applied for aid, $60K approved, and $648K to the Borough of Eatontown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $8K.
Is Eatontown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Eatontown’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eatontown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eatontown’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.