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-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Surf City than in 88% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surf City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (43%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1,099 claims here since 1979.
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 Surf City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Surf City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain 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 Surf City’s grade
Coastal flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Surf City, and Surf City’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Surf City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Surf City: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Surf City flood? Yes: 1,099 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Surf City, from FEMA’s records: 440.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy833 claims · $21.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter154 claims · $1.1M
- The “Halloween” storm21 claims · $113K
Surf City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surf City
Disasters that paid out in Surf City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Surf City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy737 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$572K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs833 flood claims paid for it, $21.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$17K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$37K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs2 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 Surf City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surf City archive →Surf City and its neighbors
Surf City is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4,207 |
| Ship Bottom | Dmore damage than 88% | coastal flooding | 1,424 |
| Surf City | Dmore damage than 88% | coastal flooding | 1,099 |
| Long Beach Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6,318 |
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 Surf City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Surf City 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 Surf City
Is Surf City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surf City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (43%) and river and rain flooding (37%). 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 Surf City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,099 claims in Surf City since 1979, $23.0M in all, or 440.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (833).
Is Surf City 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 Surf City?
Surf City 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 Surf City?
By FEMA money that reached Surf City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 737 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $572K to the Borough of Surf City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 833 paid, $21.5M.
Is Surf City at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Surf City’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surf City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surf City’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.