Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0Ocean Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #205 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (43%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 945 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 Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocean Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
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 Township’s grade
Strong wind is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean Township, and Ocean Township’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #205 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocean Township’s residents live in 7 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 Township has less expected damage per building than 56% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Ocean Township: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean Township flood? Yes: 945 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean Township, from FEMA’s records: 79.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy485 claims · $25.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter121 claims · $1.5M
- The Torrential rain50 claims · $1.4M
Ocean Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean Township
Disasters that paid out in Ocean Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ocean Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$114K to Ocean Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$153K to Ocean Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy443 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$1.7M to Ocean Township for repairs485 flood claims paid for it, $25.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene129 households applied for aid$180K aid approved$186K to Ocean Township for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $355K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$192K to Ocean Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$43K to Ocean 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 Ocean Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean Township archive →Ocean Township and its neighbors
Ocean Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Township | B−more damage than 51% | strong wind | 945 |
| Neptune Township | B−more damage than 52% | strong wind | 364 |
| Tinton Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Asbury Park | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| West Long Branch | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Eatontown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Wanamassa | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Interlaken | — | 939 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Deal | — | 686 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Allenhurst | — | 376 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 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Township residents get 20% 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 Township
Is Ocean Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Township has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #205 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (43%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocean Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 945 claims in Ocean Township since 1978, $33.7M in all, or 79.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 57 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (485).
Is Ocean 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 Ocean Township?
Ocean Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Township?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 443 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $1.7M to Ocean Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 485 paid, $25.3M.
Is Ocean Township at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Ocean Township’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean 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.