Photo: KForce · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Toms River Township faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Toms River Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #298 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then strong wind (21%). Flood insurance has paid 8,425 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 Toms River Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Toms River Township 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
Coastal flooding
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 Toms River Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Toms River Township, and Toms River Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #298 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Toms River Township’s residents live in 22 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, Toms River Township has more expected damage per building than 64% of New Jersey towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Toms River Township has higher expected damage per building than 59% (#236 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $33.7M, is the 332th largest of those 400.
Does Toms River Township flood? Yes: 8,425 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Toms River Township, from FEMA’s records: 181.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy6,758 claims · $588M
- The December Storm - nor’easter644 claims · $6.7M
- Hurricane Irene338 claims · $9.0M
Toms River Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ocean County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Toms River Township
Disasters that paid out in Toms River Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Toms River Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to Toms River Township for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1.1M to Toms River Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7,967 households applied for aid$30.8M aid approved$27.4M to Toms River Township for repairs6,758 flood claims paid for it, $588M
- 2011Hurricane Irene193 households applied for aid$450K aid approved$200K to Toms River Township for repairs338 flood claims paid for it, $9.0M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$698K to Toms River Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$225K to Toms River Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$411K to Toms River Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$393K to Toms River Township 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 Toms River Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Toms River Township archive →Toms River Township and its neighbors
Toms River Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Island Heights | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Brick Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3,533 |
| 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 |
| Lavallette | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1,840 |
| Dover Beaches South | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Dover Beaches North | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pine Lake Park | — | 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 Toms River Township 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Toms River Township 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 Toms River Township
Is Toms River Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Toms River Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #298 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and strong wind (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Toms River Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8,425 claims in Toms River Township since 1978, $610M in all, or 181.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 286 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (6,758).
Is Toms River Township 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 Toms River Township?
Toms River Township 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 Toms River Township?
By FEMA money that reached Toms River Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 7,967 households applied for aid, $30.8M approved, and $27.4M to Toms River Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 6,758 paid, $588M.
Is Toms River Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Toms River Township’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Toms River Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Toms River Township’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.