Photo: Apc106 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Manasquan than in 87% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manasquan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #413 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (39%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 2,019 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 Manasquan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manasquan faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Manasquan’s grade
Coastal flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manasquan, and Manasquan’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #413 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manasquan’s residents live in 2 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, Manasquan has more expected damage per building than 88% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Manasquan: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manasquan flood? Yes: 2,019 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manasquan, from FEMA’s records: 602.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1,223 claims · $99.0M
- The December Storm - nor’easter405 claims · $5.1M
- Hurricane Irene122 claims · $2.0M
Manasquan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manasquan
Disasters that paid out in Manasquan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Manasquan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$30K to the Borough of Manasquan for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Borough of Manasquan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,751 households applied for aid$6.4M aid approved$9.4M to the Borough of Manasquan for repairs1,223 flood claims paid for it, $99.0M
- 2011Hurricane Irene66 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$106K to the Borough of Manasquan for repairs122 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Manasquan for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$81K to the Borough of Manasquan 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 Manasquan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manasquan archive →Manasquan and its neighbors
Manasquan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Township | B−less damage than 52% | strong wind | 54 |
| Sea Girt | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| Brielle | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Point Pleasant Beach | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1,707 |
| Manasquan | Dmore damage than 87% | coastal flooding | 2,019 |
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 Manasquan faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manasquan 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 Manasquan
Is Manasquan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manasquan has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (39%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manasquan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,019 claims in Manasquan since 1978, $107M in all, or 602.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 148 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1,223).
Is Manasquan 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 Manasquan?
Manasquan 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 Manasquan?
By FEMA money that reached Manasquan, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,751 households applied for aid, $6.4M approved, and $9.4M to the Borough of Manasquan for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1,223 paid, $99.0M.
Is Manasquan at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Manasquan’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manasquan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manasquan’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.