Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Matawan faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Matawan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #319 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then strong wind (34%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Matawan 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 Matawan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Matawan, and Matawan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #319 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Matawan’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, Matawan has more expected damage per building than 68% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Matawan: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Matawan flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Matawan, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter4 claims · $26K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $86K
Matawan 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Matawan
Disasters that paid out in Matawan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Matawan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida31 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy775 households applied for aid$163K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $86K
- 2011Hurricane Irene238 households applied for aid$523K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$16K 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 Matawan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Matawan archive →Matawan and its neighbors
Matawan is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Bridge Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Aberdeen Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Marlboro Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Matawan | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Strathmore | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Morganville | — | 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 Matawan 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Matawan
Is Matawan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Matawan has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #319 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and strong wind (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Matawan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Matawan since 1978, $131K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (4).
Is Matawan 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 Matawan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Matawan’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 Matawan?
By FEMA money that reached Matawan, Hurricane Irene (2011): 238 households applied for aid, $523K approved. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 4 paid, $26K.
Is Matawan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Matawan’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Matawan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Matawan’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.