Photo: Freeholdman12 · CC BY-SA 4.0Howell Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howell Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #251 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then strong wind (40%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 Howell Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Howell 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
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 Howell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Howell Township, and Howell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #251 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Howell Township’s residents live in 10 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, Howell Township has more expected damage per building than 54% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.8M a year in losses across Howell Township: $15.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Howell Township flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Howell Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $67K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $17K
Howell 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Howell Township
Disasters that paid out in Howell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Howell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$621K to Howell Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$301K to Howell Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy754 households applied for aid$83K aid approved$3.1M to Howell Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $17K
- 2011Hurricane Irene223 households applied for aid$457K aid approved$266K to Howell Township for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $67K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$222K to Howell Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding121 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$142K to Howell 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 Howell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Howell Township archive →Howell Township and its neighbors
Howell Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Wall Township | B−less damage than 52% | strong wind | 54 |
| Jackson Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Howell Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Freehold Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Brick Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3,533 |
| Colts Neck Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Ramtown | — | 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 Howell 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.
- 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 Howell Township
Is Howell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howell Township has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #251 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and strong wind (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Howell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Howell Township since 1978, $534K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Howell 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 Howell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Howell 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 Howell Township?
By FEMA money that reached Howell Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 754 households applied for aid, $83K approved, and $3.1M to Howell Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $67K.
Is Howell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Howell Township’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Howell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Howell 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.