Photo: Mpftmead at English Wikipedia · Public domainManchester Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #166 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then strong wind (27%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Manchester 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
Hurricanes
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 Manchester Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester Township, and Manchester Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #166 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manchester Township’s residents live in 12 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, Manchester Township has less expected damage per building than 65% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.9M a year in losses across Manchester Township: $10.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester Township flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene11 claims · $1.1M
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $25K
Manchester 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: Ocean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester Township
Disasters that paid out in Manchester Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Manchester Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$86K to Manchester Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy195 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$297K to Manchester Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene17 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$36K to Manchester Township for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to Manchester Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$72 aid approved$2K to Manchester Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$86K to Manchester 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 Manchester Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester Township archive →Manchester Township and its neighbors
Manchester Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Jackson Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Toms River Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 8,425 |
| Plumsted Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Lacey Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,767 |
| Pine Lake Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pine Ridge at Crestwood | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Holiday City-Berkeley | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Cedar Glen West | — | 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 Manchester 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.
- 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.
- 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 Manchester Township
Is Manchester Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester Township has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #166 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and strong wind (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manchester Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Manchester Township since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (11).
Is Manchester 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 Manchester Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester 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 Manchester Township?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 195 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $297K to Manchester Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 11 paid, $1.1M.
Is Manchester Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Manchester Township’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester 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.