Photo: Public domain · Public domainFor strong wind, Lakewood Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #156 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then strong wind (33%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakewood Township, and Lakewood Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #156 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakewood Township’s residents live in 20 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, Lakewood Township has less expected damage per building than 67% of New Jersey towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lakewood Township has lower expected damage per building than 71% (#118 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $20.3M, is the 390th largest of those 400.
Does Lakewood Township flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakewood Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $137K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $7K
Lakewood 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 Lakewood Township
Disasters that paid out in Lakewood Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lakewood Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$276K to Lakewood Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy923 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$251K to Lakewood Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $137K
- 2011Hurricane Irene97 households applied for aid$194K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$114K to Lakewood Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding99 households applied for aid$170K aid approved
- 2009Snowstorm$100K to Lakewood 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 Lakewood Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakewood Township archive →Lakewood Township and its neighbors
Lakewood Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. 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 |
| Jackson Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Howell Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Brick Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3,533 |
| Ramtown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Leisure Village East | — | 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood Township
Is Lakewood Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood Township has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #156 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and strong wind (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakewood Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Lakewood Township since 1984, $350K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (3).
Is Lakewood 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 Lakewood Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakewood 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 Lakewood Township?
By FEMA money that reached Lakewood Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 923 households applied for aid, $138K approved, and $251K to Lakewood Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 3 paid, $137K.
Is Lakewood Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lakewood Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakewood Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakewood 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.