Photo: Dough4872 · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Seaside Park than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seaside Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then coastal flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 858 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 stands out about Seaside Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seaside Park 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
Coastal 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 Seaside Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seaside Park, and Seaside Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seaside Park’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Seaside Park: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seaside Park flood? Yes: 858 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seaside Park, from FEMA’s records: 315.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy684 claims · $39.7M
- The December Storm - nor’easter64 claims · $609K
- Hurricane Irene31 claims · $518K
Seaside Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seaside Park
Disasters that paid out in Seaside Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Seaside Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,968 households applied for aid$6.8M aid approved$3.1M to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs684 flood claims paid for it, $39.7M
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$12K to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs31 flood claims paid for it, $518K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$26K to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$17K to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$95K to the Borough of Seaside Park 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 Seaside Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seaside Park archive →Seaside Park and its neighbors
Seaside Park is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1,689 |
| Seaside Park | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 858 |
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 Park 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Seaside Park 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 Seaside Park
Is Seaside Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seaside Park has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and coastal flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seaside Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 858 claims in Seaside Park since 1984, $41.6M in all, or 315.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (684).
Is Seaside Park 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 Park?
Seaside Park 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 Seaside Park?
By FEMA money that reached Seaside Park, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,968 households applied for aid, $6.8M approved, and $3.1M to the Borough of Seaside Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 684 paid, $39.7M.
Is Seaside Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Seaside Park’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seaside Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seaside Park’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.