Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Jackson Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #203 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then strong wind (34%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1982.
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 Jackson 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 Jackson Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson Township, and Jackson Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #203 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson 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, Jackson Township has less expected damage per building than 57% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.4M a year in losses across Jackson Township: $14.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $18K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $7K
Jackson 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: Ocean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jackson Township
Disasters that paid out in Jackson Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Jackson Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$189K to Jackson Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy893 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$1.7M to Jackson Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene113 households applied for aid$173K aid approved$69K to Jackson Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $18K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$242K to Jackson Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding223 households applied for aid$358K aid approved$55K to Jackson Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$106K to Jackson Township 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 Jackson Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jackson Township archive →Jackson Township and its neighbors
Jackson Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Manchester Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| 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 |
| Plumsted Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Cedar Glen West | — | 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 Jackson 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 Jackson Township
Is Jackson Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson Township has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #203 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and strong wind (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Jackson Township since 1982, $56K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (3).
Is Jackson 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 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 Jackson Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jackson 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 Jackson Township?
By FEMA money that reached Jackson Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 893 households applied for aid, $81K approved, and $1.7M to Jackson Township for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $11K.
Is Jackson Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Jackson Township’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jackson Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jackson 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.