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 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Plumsted Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plumsted Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #365 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then strong wind (25%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Plumsted 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
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 Plumsted Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plumsted Township, and Plumsted Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #365 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Plumsted Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Plumsted Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Plumsted Township: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plumsted Township flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plumsted Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene13 claims · $430K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $25K
Plumsted 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: Ocean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plumsted Township
Disasters that paid out in Plumsted Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Plumsted Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to Plumsted Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$42K to Plumsted Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$9K to Plumsted Township for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $430K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to Plumsted Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to Plumsted Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$26K to Plumsted Township 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 Plumsted Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plumsted Township archive →Plumsted Township and its neighbors
Plumsted Township is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hanover Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hanover Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Manchester Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Jackson Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Plumsted Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Plumsted 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.
- 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 Plumsted Township
Is Plumsted Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plumsted Township has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #365 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and strong wind (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 Plumsted Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Plumsted Township since 1978, $523K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (13).
Is Plumsted 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 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 Plumsted Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plumsted 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 Plumsted Township?
By FEMA money that reached Plumsted Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $42K to Plumsted Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 13 paid, $430K.
Is Plumsted Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Plumsted Township’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plumsted Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plumsted 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.