Photo: KLOTZ · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Rumson than in 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rumson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #303 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then strong wind (34%). Flood insurance has paid 805 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 Rumson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rumson 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 Rumson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rumson, and Rumson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #303 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rumson’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, Rumson has more expected damage per building than 65% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Rumson: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rumson flood? Yes: 805 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rumson, from FEMA’s records: 320.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy413 claims · $55.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter202 claims · $4.2M
- Hurricane Irene50 claims · $1.5M
Rumson 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rumson
Disasters that paid out in Rumson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Rumson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$268K to the Borough of Rumson for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Borough of Rumson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy594 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$4.7M to the Borough of Rumson for repairs413 flood claims paid for it, $55.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene39 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$57K to the Borough of Rumson for repairs50 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Borough of Rumson for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$4K 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 Rumson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rumson archive →Rumson and its neighbors
Rumson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Haven | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Rumson | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 805 |
| Little Silver | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Monmouth Beach | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,496 |
| Sea Bright | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 1,584 |
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 Rumson 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Rumson
Is Rumson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rumson has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #303 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and strong wind (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rumson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 805 claims in Rumson since 1978, $62.2M in all, or 320.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 84 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (413).
Is Rumson 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 Rumson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rumson’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 Rumson?
By FEMA money that reached Rumson, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 594 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved, and $4.7M to the Borough of Rumson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 413 paid, $55.5M.
Is Rumson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Rumson’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rumson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rumson’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.