Navesink Light Station · Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Highlands’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highlands gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #435 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then coastal flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1,527 claims here since 1978.
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 Highlands’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Highlands 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.
What’s behind Highlands’ grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highlands, and Highlands’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #435 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highlands’ residents live in 2 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, Highlands has more expected damage per building than 93% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Highlands: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highlands flood? Yes: 1,527 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highlands, from FEMA’s records: 543.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy744 claims · $68.6M
- The December Storm - nor’easter353 claims · $5.4M
- Hurricane Irene233 claims · $4.9M
Highlands 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 Highlands
Disasters that paid out in Highlands itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Highlands), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$40K to the Borough of Highlands for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,589 households applied for aid$7.2M aid approved$5.5M to the Borough of Highlands for repairs744 flood claims paid for it, $68.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene266 households applied for aid$339K aid approved$136K to the Borough of Highlands for repairs233 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Borough of Highlands for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$5K to the Borough of Highlands 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 Highlands after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highlands archive →Highlands and its neighbors
Highlands is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Highlands | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Highlands | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1,527 |
| Sea Bright | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 1,584 |
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 Highlands 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Highlands
Is Highlands at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highlands has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #435 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and coastal flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highlands flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,527 claims in Highlands since 1978, $79.6M in all, or 543.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 183 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (744).
Is Highlands 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 Highlands?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highlands’ 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 Highlands?
By FEMA money that reached Highlands, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,589 households applied for aid, $7.2M approved, and $5.5M to the Borough of Highlands for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 744 paid, $68.6M.
Is Highlands at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Highlands’ rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highlands.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highlands’ 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.