Photo: Unmarred · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Freehold Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freehold Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #291 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then strong wind (37%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 Freehold 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
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 Freehold Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freehold Township, and Freehold Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #291 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freehold Township’s residents live in 7 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, Freehold Township has more expected damage per building than 62% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.2M a year in losses across Freehold Township: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freehold Township flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freehold Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $131K
- The March 2010 nor’easter4 claims · $18K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $10K
Freehold 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 Freehold Township
Disasters that paid out in Freehold Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Freehold Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$361K to Freehold Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$172K to Freehold Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$1.5M to Freehold Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$247K to Freehold Township for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $131K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$178K to Freehold Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$338K to Freehold Township 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 Freehold Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freehold Township archive →Freehold Township and its neighbors
Freehold Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Howell Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Freehold Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Marlboro Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Manalapan Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| East Freehold | — | 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 Freehold 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.
- 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 Freehold Township
Is Freehold Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freehold Township has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #291 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and strong wind (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freehold Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Freehold Township since 1979, $253K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Freehold 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 Freehold Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freehold 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 Freehold Township?
By FEMA money that reached Freehold Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $1.5M to Freehold Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $131K.
Is Freehold Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Freehold Township’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freehold Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freehold 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.