Photo: Hornbaker Chelsi, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Long Beach Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Long Beach Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #445 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then coastal flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 6,318 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 Long Beach Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Long Beach 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
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 Long Beach Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Long Beach Township, and Long Beach Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 42%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #445 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Long Beach 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, Long Beach Township has more expected damage per building than 95% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Long Beach Township: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Long Beach Township flood? Yes: 6,318 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Long Beach Township, from FEMA’s records: 760.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy4,768 claims · $228M
- The December Storm - nor’easter1,024 claims · $10.7M
- Hurricane Gloria73 claims · $214K
Long Beach Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Long Beach Township
Disasters that paid out in Long Beach Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Long Beach Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$139K to Long Beach Township for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$156K to Long Beach Township for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$11.0M to Long Beach Township for repairs4,768 flood claims paid for it, $228M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$65K to Long Beach Township for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to Long Beach Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$104K to Long Beach Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$42K to Long Beach Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$212K to Long Beach 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 Long Beach Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Long Beach Township archive →Long Beach Township and its neighbors
Long Beach Township is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Egg Harbor Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3,837 |
| Ocean Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Stafford Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4,207 |
| Eagleswood Township | C−more damage than 83% | coastal flooding | 175 |
| Ship Bottom | Dmore damage than 88% | coastal flooding | 1,424 |
| Surf City | Dmore damage than 88% | coastal flooding | 1,099 |
| Beach Haven | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 2,192 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
| North Beach Haven | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Barnegat Light | — | 500 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Harvey Cedars | — | 487 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Long Beach 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.
- 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.
- Long Beach 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 Long Beach Township
Is Long Beach Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Long Beach Township has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #445 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and coastal flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Long Beach Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6,318 claims in Long Beach Township since 1978, $242M in all, or 760.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 101 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (4,768).
Is Long Beach 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 Long Beach Township?
Long Beach 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 Long Beach Township?
By FEMA money that reached Long Beach Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 15 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $11.0M to Long Beach Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 4,768 paid, $228M.
Is Long Beach Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Long Beach Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Long Beach Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Long Beach 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.