Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Farmingdale than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmingdale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then strong wind (33%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmingdale, and Farmingdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Farmingdale’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $588K a year in losses across Farmingdale: $456K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmingdale flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmingdale, from FEMA’s records: 35.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene11 claims · $435K
- Hurricane Sandy6 claims · $444K
Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale
Disasters that paid out in Farmingdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Farmingdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Borough of Farmingdale for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy148 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$19K to the Borough of Farmingdale for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $444K
- 2011Hurricane Irene54 households applied for aid$147K aid approved$5K to the Borough of Farmingdale for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $435K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Borough of Farmingdale for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$15K to the Borough of Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmingdale archive →Get ready for what Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale
Is Farmingdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmingdale has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and strong wind (33%). 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 Farmingdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Farmingdale since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 35.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (11).
Is Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farmingdale’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 Farmingdale?
By FEMA money that reached Farmingdale, Hurricane Irene (2011): 54 households applied for aid, $147K approved, and $5K to the Borough of Farmingdale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 11 paid, $435K.
Is Farmingdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Farmingdale’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmingdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmingdale’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.