Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Little Egg Harbor Township faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Egg Harbor Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #323 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then coastal flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3,837 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 stands out about Little Egg Harbor Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Little Egg Harbor 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
Coastal 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 Little Egg Harbor Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little Egg Harbor Township, and Little Egg Harbor Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #323 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Little Egg Harbor Township’s residents live in 6 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, Little Egg Harbor Township has more expected damage per building than 69% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Little Egg Harbor Township: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Little Egg Harbor Township flood? Yes: 3,837 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little Egg Harbor Township, from FEMA’s records: 354.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2,564 claims · $189M
- The December Storm - nor’easter717 claims · $13.2M
- Hurricane Gloria27 claims · $73K
Little Egg Harbor Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little Egg Harbor Township
Disasters that paid out in Little Egg Harbor Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Little Egg Harbor Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$70K to Little Egg Harbor Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$6.4M to Little Egg Harbor Township for repairs2,564 flood claims paid for it, $189M
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$77K to Little Egg Harbor Township for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $77K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$70K to Little Egg Harbor Township for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Snowstorm$47K to Little Egg Harbor Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$9K to Little Egg Harbor 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 Little Egg Harbor Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little Egg Harbor Township archive →Little Egg Harbor Township and its neighbors
Little Egg Harbor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galloway Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Bass River Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Little Egg Harbor Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3,837 |
| Eagleswood Township | C−more damage than 83% | coastal flooding | 175 |
| Beach Haven | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 2,192 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
| Mystic Island | — | 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 Little Egg Harbor 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Little Egg Harbor Township residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Little Egg Harbor Township
Is Little Egg Harbor Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Egg Harbor Township has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #323 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and coastal flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Little Egg Harbor Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,837 claims in Little Egg Harbor Township since 1979, $206M in all, or 354.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 133 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2,564).
Is Little Egg Harbor 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 Little Egg Harbor Township?
Little Egg Harbor Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Little Egg Harbor Township?
By FEMA money that reached Little Egg Harbor Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 4 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $6.4M to Little Egg Harbor Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2,564 paid, $189M.
Is Little Egg Harbor Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Little Egg Harbor Township’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little Egg Harbor Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little Egg Harbor 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.