Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ocean Gate than in 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Gate gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then coastal flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 387 claims here since 1979.
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 Gate’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocean Gate 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
Coastal 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 Ocean Gate’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean Gate, and Ocean Gate’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ocean Gate’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $667K a year in losses across Ocean Gate: $512K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean Gate flood? Yes: 387 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean Gate, from FEMA’s records: 326.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy320 claims · $17.8M
- The December Storm - nor’easter33 claims · $236K
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $22K
Ocean Gate 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean Gate
Disasters that paid out in Ocean Gate itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Ocean Gate), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy694 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$1.8M to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs320 flood claims paid for it, $17.8M
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$22K to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $30K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$125K to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$4K to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$2K to the Borough of Ocean Gate 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 Ocean Gate after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean Gate archive →Get ready for what Ocean Gate 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ocean Gate
Is Ocean Gate at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Gate has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and coastal flooding (25%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocean Gate flood?
Flood insurance has paid 387 claims in Ocean Gate since 1979, $18.4M in all, or 326.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (320).
Is Ocean Gate 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 Ocean Gate?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ocean Gate’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 Ocean Gate?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean Gate, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 694 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $1.8M to the Borough of Ocean Gate for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 320 paid, $17.8M.
Is Ocean Gate at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Ocean Gate’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean Gate.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean Gate’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.