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 4.0Point Pleasant’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Point Pleasant gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #288 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then strong wind (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1,125 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 Point Pleasant’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Point Pleasant 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
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Point Pleasant’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Point Pleasant, and Point Pleasant’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #288 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Point Pleasant’s residents live in 4 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, Point Pleasant has more expected damage per building than 61% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Point Pleasant: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Point Pleasant flood? Yes: 1,125 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Point Pleasant, from FEMA’s records: 128.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy988 claims · $68.0M
- The December Storm - nor’easter40 claims · $390K
- Hurricane Irene33 claims · $615K
Point Pleasant is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Point Pleasant
Disasters that paid out in Point Pleasant itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Point Pleasant), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the Borough of Point Pleasant for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy42 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$1.5M to the Borough of Point Pleasant for repairs988 flood claims paid for it, $68.0M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$6K to the Borough of Point Pleasant for repairs33 flood claims paid for it, $615K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$65K to the Borough of Point Pleasant for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
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 Point Pleasant after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Point Pleasant archive →Point Pleasant and its neighbors
Point Pleasant is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brielle | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Point Pleasant | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,125 |
| Brick Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3,533 |
| Point Pleasant Beach | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1,707 |
| Bay Head | — | not graded yet | |
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 Point Pleasant 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Point Pleasant 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 Point Pleasant
Is Point Pleasant at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Point Pleasant has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #288 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and strong wind (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Point Pleasant flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,125 claims in Point Pleasant since 1978, $69.5M in all, or 128.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 34 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (988).
Is Point Pleasant 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 Point Pleasant?
Point Pleasant 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 Point Pleasant?
By FEMA money that reached Point Pleasant, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 42 households applied for aid, $56K approved, and $1.5M to the Borough of Point Pleasant for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 988 paid, $68.0M.
Is Point Pleasant at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Point Pleasant’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Point Pleasant.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Point Pleasant’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.