Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Holmdel Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holmdel Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #271 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then strong wind (37%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Holmdel 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 Holmdel Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holmdel Township, and Holmdel Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #271 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holmdel Township’s residents live in 3 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, Holmdel Township has more expected damage per building than 58% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Holmdel Township: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holmdel Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holmdel Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $10K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $12K
Holmdel 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holmdel Township
Disasters that paid out in Holmdel Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Holmdel Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$323K to Holmdel Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$135K to Holmdel Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy229 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$2.2M to Holmdel Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene265 households applied for aid$585K aid approved$259K to Holmdel Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and$273K to Holmdel Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$124K to Holmdel Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$144K to Holmdel 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 Holmdel Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holmdel Township archive →Holmdel Township and its neighbors
Holmdel Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holmdel Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Aberdeen Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Colts Neck Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Hazlet Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Marlboro Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Lincroft | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Strathmore | — | 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 Holmdel 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Holmdel Township
Is Holmdel Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holmdel Township has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #271 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and strong wind (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holmdel Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Holmdel Township since 1979, $191K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Holmdel 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 Holmdel Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holmdel 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 Holmdel Township?
By FEMA money that reached Holmdel Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 229 households applied for aid, $34K approved, and $2.2M to Holmdel Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Holmdel Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Holmdel Township’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holmdel Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holmdel 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.