Storms, floods and disasters in Harvey Cedars
Harvey Cedars isn’t graded for hazard risk: Harvey Cedars has 487 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 648 claims here since 1979.
What Harvey Cedars 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
Coastal flooding
Strong wind
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.
Does Harvey Cedars flood? Yes: 648 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harvey Cedars, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Sandy466 claims · $9.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter119 claims · $1.1M
- The “Halloween” storm14 claims · $47K
Harvey Cedars is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harvey Cedars
Disasters that paid out in Harvey Cedars itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Harvey Cedars), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$144K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy258 households applied for aid$312K aid approved$657K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs466 flood claims paid for it, $9.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$4K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$32K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$6K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$69K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs
Ocean County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ocean County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of Harvey Cedars after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harvey Cedars archive →Harvey Cedars and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnegat Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 239 |
| Stafford Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4,207 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
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 Harvey Cedars 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Harvey Cedars residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Harvey Cedars
Does Harvey Cedars flood?
Flood insurance has paid 648 claims in Harvey Cedars since 1979, $11.3M in all. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (466).
Is Harvey Cedars 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 Ocean County, 71% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harvey Cedars?
Harvey Cedars is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Harvey Cedars?
By FEMA money that reached Harvey Cedars, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 258 households applied for aid, $312K approved, and $657K to the Borough of Harvey Cedars for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 466 paid, $9.9M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harvey Cedars.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harvey Cedars’ 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.