Photo: KForce at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Freehold’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freehold gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #220 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (41%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
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’s grade
Strong wind is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freehold, and Freehold’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #220 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freehold’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, Freehold has less expected damage per building than 53% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Freehold: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freehold flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freehold, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Freehold 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 Freehold
Disasters that paid out in Freehold itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Freehold), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$147K to the Borough of Freehold for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy943 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$592K to the Borough of Freehold for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene833 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$80K to the Borough of Freehold for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Borough of Freehold for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$60K to the Borough of Freehold 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freehold archive →Get ready for what Freehold faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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
Is Freehold at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freehold has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #220 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (41%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freehold flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Freehold since 1979, $6K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Freehold 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freehold’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?
By FEMA money that reached Freehold, Hurricane Irene (2011): 833 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $80K to the Borough of Freehold for repairs.
Is Freehold at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Freehold’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freehold.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freehold’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.