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 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in South Toms River than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Toms River gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #328 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then strong wind (19%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1985.
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 South Toms River’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Toms River 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 South Toms River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Toms River, and South Toms River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #328 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Toms River’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, South Toms River has more expected damage per building than 70% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $765K a year in losses across South Toms River: $625K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Toms River flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Toms River, from FEMA’s records: 35.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy21 claims · $2.0M
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $50K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $62K
South Toms River 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Toms River
Disasters that paid out in South Toms River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of South Toms River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy8 households applied for aid$17K aid approved21 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Borough of South Toms River for repairs1 flood claim 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 South Toms River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Toms River archive →South Toms River and its neighbors
South Toms River is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beachwood | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| 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 |
| South Toms River | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Holiday Heights | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Holiday City 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 South Toms River 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 South Toms River
Is South Toms River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Toms River has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #328 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and strong wind (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Toms River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in South Toms River since 1985, $2.2M in all, or 35.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (21).
Is South Toms River 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 South Toms River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Toms River’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 South Toms River?
By FEMA money that reached South Toms River, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 8 households applied for aid, $17K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 21 paid, $2.0M.
Is South Toms River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and South Toms River’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Toms River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Toms River’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.