Photo: Wikijazz · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Long Branch’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Long Branch gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #297 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then strong wind (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1,107 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 Branch’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Long Branch 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 Long Branch’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Long Branch, and Long Branch’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #297 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Long Branch’s residents live in 8 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 Branch has more expected damage per building than 63% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across Long Branch: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Long Branch flood? Yes: 1,107 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Long Branch, from FEMA’s records: 73.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy665 claims · $46.4M
- The December Storm - nor’easter198 claims · $3.6M
- Hurricane Irene35 claims · $669K
Long Branch is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Long Branch
Disasters that paid out in Long Branch itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Long Branch), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$159K to the City of Long Branch for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2,884 households applied for aid$7.2M aid approved$21.3M to the City of Long Branch for repairs665 flood claims paid for it, $46.4M
- 2011Hurricane Irene187 households applied for aid$179K aid approved$146K to the City of Long Branch for repairs35 flood claims paid for it, $669K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$200K to the City of Long Branch for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
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 Long Branch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Long Branch archive →Long Branch and its neighbors
Long Branch is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Long Branch | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Long Branch | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,107 |
| Oceanport | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 871 |
| Monmouth Beach | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,496 |
| Deal | — | 686 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 Branch 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.
- Long Branch residents get 15% 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 Branch
Is Long Branch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Long Branch has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #297 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and strong wind (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Long Branch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,107 claims in Long Branch since 1978, $53.0M in all, or 73.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 62 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (665).
Is Long Branch 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 Long Branch?
Long Branch is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Branch?
By FEMA money that reached Long Branch, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 2,884 households applied for aid, $7.2M approved, and $21.3M to the City of Long Branch for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 665 paid, $46.4M.
Is Long Branch at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Long Branch’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Long Branch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Long Branch’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.