Photo: Mlaurenti at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Monroe Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #235 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 76 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 Monroe 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
Earthquakes
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 Monroe Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroe Township, and Monroe Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #235 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroe Township’s residents live in 10 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, Monroe Township has more expected damage per building than 50% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.2M a year in losses across Monroe Township: $16.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroe Township flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monroe Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene38 claims · $2.5M
- Tropical Storm Henri22 claims · $2.3M
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $14K
Monroe 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: Middlesex County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroe Township
Disasters that paid out in Monroe Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Monroe Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida10 households applied for aid$27K aid approved22 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy118 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene49 households applied for aid$176K aid approved38 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$899 aid approved
Middlesex County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Monroe Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroe Township archive →Monroe Township and its neighbors
Monroe Township is 3rd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Brunswick Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Old Bridge Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Monroe Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Helmetta | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Cranbury Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Spotswood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Millstone Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Manalapan Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| East Windsor Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Twin Rivers | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Renaissance at Monroe | — | 581 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Monroe 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Monroe Township
Is Monroe Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe Township has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #235 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monroe Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Monroe Township since 1978, $4.9M in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (38).
Is Monroe 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monroe Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monroe 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 Monroe Township?
By FEMA money that reached Monroe Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 49 households applied for aid, $176K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 38 paid, $2.5M.
Is Monroe Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Monroe Township’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroe Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroe 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.