Photo: JTFeldmus at English Wikipedia · Public domainRed Bank’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bank gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #241 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then strong wind (40%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1984.
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 Red Bank 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
Earthquakes
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 Red Bank’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Bank, and Red Bank’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #241 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Bank’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, Red Bank has more expected damage per building than 51% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Red Bank: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Bank flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Bank, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy14 claims · $4.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter4 claims · $327K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $7K
Red Bank isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monmouth County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Bank
Disasters that paid out in Red Bank itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Red Bank), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Borough of Red Bank for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy446 households applied for aid$219K aid approved$556K to the Borough of Red Bank for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $4.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene150 households applied for aid$215K aid approved$90K to the Borough of Red Bank for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$142K to the Borough of Red Bank for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding51 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
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 Red Bank after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Bank archive →Red Bank and its neighbors
Red Bank is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinton Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fair Haven | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Red Bank | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Shrewsbury | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Little Silver | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
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 Red Bank 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Red Bank
Is Red Bank at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bank has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #241 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and strong wind (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Bank flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Red Bank since 1984, $4.9M in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (14).
Is Red Bank 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 Red Bank?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Bank’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 Red Bank?
By FEMA money that reached Red Bank, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 446 households applied for aid, $219K approved, and $556K to the Borough of Red Bank for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 14 paid, $4.5M.
Is Red Bank at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Red Bank’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Bank.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Bank’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.