Photo: PLBechly · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Longport
Longport isn’t graded for hazard risk: Longport has 901 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1,076 claims here since 1978.
What Longport 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
Hurricanes
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.
Does Longport flood? Yes: 1,076 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Longport, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Sandy695 claims · $33.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter182 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Gloria44 claims · $201K
Longport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Longport
Disasters that paid out in Longport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Longport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Longport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy357 households applied for aid$592K aid approved$2.2M to the Borough of Longport for repairs695 flood claims paid for it, $33.9M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$62K to the Borough of Longport for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Borough of Longport for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Borough of Longport for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$13K to the Borough of Longport for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$60K to the Borough of Longport for repairs
Atlantic County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Longport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Longport archive →Longport and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Ocean City | D−more damage than 96% | coastal flooding | 7,807 |
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 Longport 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Longport residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Longport
Does Longport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,076 claims in Longport since 1978, $37.9M in all. 42 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (695).
Is Longport 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Longport?
Longport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Longport?
By FEMA money that reached Longport, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 357 households applied for aid, $592K approved, and $2.2M to the Borough of Longport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 695 paid, $33.9M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Longport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Longport’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.