Photo: User:TheBluZebra · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Oceanport faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oceanport gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #370 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then strong wind (29%). Flood insurance has paid 871 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 Oceanport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oceanport 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
Coastal 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 Oceanport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oceanport, and Oceanport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 29%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #370 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oceanport’s residents live in 2 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, Oceanport has more expected damage per building than 79% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Oceanport: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oceanport flood? Yes: 871 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oceanport, from FEMA’s records: 299.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy517 claims · $54.1M
- The December Storm - nor’easter225 claims · $6.1M
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $358K
Oceanport 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 Oceanport
Disasters that paid out in Oceanport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Oceanport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$139K to the Borough of Oceanport for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Borough of Oceanport for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy709 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$7.2M to the Borough of Oceanport for repairs517 flood claims paid for it, $54.1M
- 2011Hurricane Irene22 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$50K to the Borough of Oceanport for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $358K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$49K to the Borough of Oceanport for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$30K to the Borough of Oceanport 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 Oceanport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oceanport archive →Oceanport and its neighbors
Oceanport is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Long Branch | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Shrewsbury | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Long Branch | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,107 |
| Eatontown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Little Silver | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Oceanport | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 871 |
| Monmouth Beach | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,496 |
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 Oceanport 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Oceanport 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 Oceanport
Is Oceanport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oceanport has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #370 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and strong wind (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oceanport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 871 claims in Oceanport since 1978, $61.4M in all, or 299.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 37 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (517).
Is Oceanport 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 Oceanport?
Oceanport 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 Oceanport?
By FEMA money that reached Oceanport, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 709 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $7.2M to the Borough of Oceanport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 517 paid, $54.1M.
Is Oceanport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Oceanport’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oceanport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oceanport’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.