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 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hazlet Township than in 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazlet Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #302 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then strong wind (35%). Flood insurance has paid 90 claims here since 1984.
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 stands out about Hazlet Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hazlet 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
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 Hazlet Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hazlet Township, and Hazlet Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #302 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hazlet Township’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, Hazlet Township has more expected damage per building than 64% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Hazlet Township: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hazlet Township flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hazlet Township, from FEMA’s records: 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $439K
- Hurricane Sandy17 claims · $680K
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $137K
Hazlet Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hazlet Township
Disasters that paid out in Hazlet Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hazlet Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy374 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$338K to Hazlet Township for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $680K
- 2011Hurricane Irene138 households applied for aid$222K aid approved$226K to Hazlet Township for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $439K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to Hazlet Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$14K to Hazlet 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 Hazlet Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hazlet Township archive →Hazlet Township and its neighbors
Hazlet Township is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyport | B−less damage than 51% | strong wind | 147 |
| Keansburg | C+more damage than 58% | strong wind | 1,147 |
| Holmdel Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Aberdeen Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Hazlet Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Union Beach | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1,416 |
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 Hazlet 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.
- 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.
- Hazlet Township 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 Hazlet Township
Is Hazlet Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hazlet Township has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #302 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and strong wind (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hazlet Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Hazlet Township since 1984, $2.1M in all, or 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (19).
Is Hazlet 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 Hazlet Township?
Hazlet Township 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 Hazlet Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hazlet Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 138 households applied for aid, $222K approved, and $226K to Hazlet Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 19 paid, $439K.
Is Hazlet Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Hazlet Township’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hazlet Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hazlet 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.