Photo: SurFeRGiRL30 · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Seaside Heights than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seaside Heights gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #379 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then strong wind (16%). Flood insurance has paid 866 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 Seaside Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seaside Heights 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 Seaside Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seaside Heights, and Seaside Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #379 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seaside Heights’ 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, Seaside Heights has more expected damage per building than 81% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Seaside Heights: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seaside Heights flood? Yes: 866 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seaside Heights, from FEMA’s records: 276.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy715 claims · $53.1M
- The December Storm - nor’easter26 claims · $298K
- Hurricane Irene11 claims · $136K
Seaside Heights 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seaside Heights
Disasters that paid out in Seaside Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Seaside Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Borough of Seaside Heights for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4,590 households applied for aid$22.3M aid approved$11.0M to the Borough of Seaside Heights for repairs715 flood claims paid for it, $53.1M
- 2011Hurricane Irene32 households applied for aid$25K aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $136K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Borough of Seaside Heights for repairs6 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 Seaside Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seaside Heights archive →Seaside Heights and its neighbors
Seaside Heights is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 8,425 |
| Berkeley Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1,689 |
| Seaside Heights | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 866 |
| Dover Beaches South | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Seaside Heights 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 Seaside Heights
Is Seaside Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seaside Heights has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #379 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and strong wind (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seaside Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 866 claims in Seaside Heights since 1978, $54.7M in all, or 276.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 39 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (715).
Is Seaside Heights 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 Seaside Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seaside Heights’ 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 Seaside Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Seaside Heights, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 4,590 households applied for aid, $22.3M approved, and $11.0M to the Borough of Seaside Heights for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 715 paid, $53.1M.
Is Seaside Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Seaside Heights’ rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seaside Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seaside Heights’ 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.