Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Middletown Township than in 65% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #293 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then strong wind (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1,461 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 Middletown Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Middletown 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 Middletown Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middletown Township, and Middletown Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #293 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middletown Township’s residents live in 16 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, Middletown Township has more expected damage per building than 63% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.4M a year in losses across Middletown Township: $21.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middletown Township flood? Yes: 1,461 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middletown Township, from FEMA’s records: 57.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy878 claims · $54.0M
- Hurricane Irene202 claims · $2.4M
- The December Storm - nor’easter190 claims · $2.2M
Middletown Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middletown Township
Disasters that paid out in Middletown Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Middletown Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$900K to Middletown Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$415K to Middletown Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy390 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$13.4M to Middletown Township for repairs878 flood claims paid for it, $54.0M
- 2011Hurricane Irene286 households applied for aid$553K aid approved$785K to Middletown Township for repairs202 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$221K to Middletown Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding137 households applied for aid$165K aid approved$520K to Middletown 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 Middletown Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middletown Township archive →Middletown Township and its neighbors
Middletown Township is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinton Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Atlantic Highlands | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Red Bank | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Keansburg | C+more damage than 58% | strong wind | 1,147 |
| Holmdel Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Colts Neck Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Highlands | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1,527 |
| Lincroft | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Navesink | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Middletown | — | 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 Middletown 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.
- Middletown Township residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Middletown Township
Is Middletown Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown Township has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #293 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and strong wind (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middletown Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,461 claims in Middletown Township since 1978, $60.1M in all, or 57.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 135 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (878).
Is Middletown 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 Middletown Township?
Middletown Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Middletown Township?
By FEMA money that reached Middletown Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 390 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $13.4M to Middletown Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 878 paid, $54.0M.
Is Middletown Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Middletown Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middletown Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middletown 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.