Photo: Tinton5 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Manalapan Township faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manalapan Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #389 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then strong wind (34%). Flood insurance has paid 68 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 Manalapan Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manalapan 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
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 Manalapan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manalapan Township, and Manalapan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #389 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manalapan Township’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, Manalapan Township has more expected damage per building than 83% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.6M a year in losses across Manalapan Township: $20.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manalapan Township flood? Sometimes: 68 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manalapan Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene29 claims · $919K
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $73K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $27K
Manalapan 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: Monmouth County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manalapan Township
Disasters that paid out in Manalapan Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Manalapan Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$628K to Manalapan Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$257K to Manalapan Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy941 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$1.8M to Manalapan Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2011Hurricane Irene374 households applied for aid$841K aid approved$153K to Manalapan Township for repairs29 flood claims paid for it, $919K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$250K to Manalapan Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$18K to Manalapan Township for repairs
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 Manalapan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manalapan Township archive →Manalapan Township and its neighbors
Manalapan Township is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Freehold Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Marlboro Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Millstone Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Manalapan Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Robertsville | — | 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 Manalapan 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.
- 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 Manalapan Township
Is Manalapan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manalapan Township has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #389 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and strong wind (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manalapan Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 68 claims in Manalapan Township since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (29).
Is Manalapan 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 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 Manalapan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manalapan 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 Manalapan Township?
By FEMA money that reached Manalapan Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 941 households applied for aid, $95K approved, and $1.8M to Manalapan Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 29 paid, $919K.
Is Manalapan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Manalapan Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manalapan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manalapan 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.