Photo: Freeholdman12 · CC BY-SA 4.0Tinton Falls’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tinton Falls gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #216 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then strong wind (41%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Tinton Falls 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Tinton Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tinton Falls, and Tinton Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 41%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #216 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tinton Falls’ residents live in 4 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, Tinton Falls has less expected damage per building than 54% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.6M a year in losses across Tinton Falls: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tinton Falls flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tinton Falls, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $63K
Tinton Falls 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 Tinton Falls
Disasters that paid out in Tinton Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Tinton Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$270K to the Borough of Tinton Falls for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$115K to the Borough of Tinton Falls for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy300 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$1.2M to the Borough of Tinton Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene70 households applied for aid$130K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $63K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$78K to the Borough of Tinton Falls for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$107K to the Borough of Tinton Falls for repairs
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 Tinton Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tinton Falls archive →Tinton Falls and its neighbors
Tinton Falls is 4th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Township | B−less damage than 52% | strong wind | 54 |
| Ocean Township | B−more damage than 51% | strong wind | 945 |
| Neptune Township | B−more damage than 52% | strong wind | 364 |
| Tinton Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Red Bank | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Shrewsbury | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Shrewsbury Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Middletown Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1,461 |
| Colts Neck Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Eatontown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lincroft | — | 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 Tinton Falls 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Tinton Falls
Is Tinton Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tinton Falls has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #216 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and strong wind (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tinton Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Tinton Falls since 1979, $67K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Tinton Falls 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 Tinton Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tinton Falls’ 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 Tinton Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Tinton Falls, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 300 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $1.2M to the Borough of Tinton Falls for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $63K.
Is Tinton Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Tinton Falls’ rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tinton Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tinton Falls’ 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.