Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ocean City than in 96% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean City gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #457 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (43%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 7,807 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 Ocean City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocean City 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
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 Ocean City’s grade
Coastal flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean City, and Ocean City’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #457 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocean City’s residents live in 6 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, Ocean City has more expected damage per building than 98% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.4M a year in losses across Ocean City: $23.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean City flood? Yes: 7,807 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean City, from FEMA’s records: 368.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy4,709 claims · $163M
- The December Storm - nor’easter1,061 claims · $9.6M
- Hurricane Gloria248 claims · $1.1M
Ocean City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean City
Disasters that paid out in Ocean City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ocean City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$54K to the City of Ocean City for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$143K to the City of Ocean City for repairs159 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy3,236 households applied for aid$5.5M aid approved$8.2M to the City of Ocean City for repairs4,709 flood claims paid for it, $163M
- 2011Hurricane Irene69 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$104K to the City of Ocean City for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $259K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the City of Ocean City for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$89K to the City of Ocean City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$1.3M to the City of Ocean City for repairs100 flood claims paid that year
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Ocean City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean City archive →Ocean City and its neighbors
Ocean City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Upper Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Somers Point | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 268 |
| Ocean City | D−more damage than 96% | coastal flooding | 7,807 |
| Strathmere | — | 266 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Longport | — | 901 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 Ocean City 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.
- 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.
- Ocean City residents get 30% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ocean City
Is Ocean City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean City has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #457 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (43%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocean City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7,807 claims in Ocean City since 1978, $189M in all, or 368.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 559 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (4,709).
Is Ocean City 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ocean City?
Ocean City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4), which takes 30% 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 Ocean City?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 3,236 households applied for aid, $5.5M approved, and $8.2M to the City of Ocean City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 4,709 paid, $163M.
Is Ocean City at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Ocean City’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean City’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.