Photo: BetaMuKappa · CC BY-SA 4.0Fair Haven’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fair Haven gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #234 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then strong wind (40%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1980.
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 Fair Haven 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 Fair Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fair Haven, and Fair Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #234 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fair Haven’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Fair Haven has less expected damage per building than 50% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Fair Haven: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fair Haven flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fair Haven, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter5 claims · $68K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $205K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $15K
Fair Haven 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 Fair Haven
Disasters that paid out in Fair Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Fair Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$40K to the Borough of Fair Haven for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Borough of Fair Haven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy104 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$419K to the Borough of Fair Haven for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $205K
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$26K to the Borough of Fair Haven for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $15K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the Borough of Fair Haven for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K 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 Fair Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fair Haven archive →Fair Haven and its neighbors
Fair Haven has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Haven | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Red Bank | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Rumson | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 805 |
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 Fair Haven 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 Fair Haven
Is Fair Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fair Haven has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #234 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and strong wind (40%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fair Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Fair Haven since 1980, $317K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (5).
Is Fair Haven 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 Fair Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fair Haven’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 Fair Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Fair Haven, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 104 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $419K to the Borough of Fair Haven for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 5 paid, $68K.
Is Fair Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Fair Haven’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fair Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fair Haven’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.