Photo: Sk5893 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Tuckerton than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuckerton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #452 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (64%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1,053 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 Tuckerton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tuckerton 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 Tuckerton’s grade
Coastal flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tuckerton, and Tuckerton’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #452 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tuckerton’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, Tuckerton has more expected damage per building than 97% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Tuckerton: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tuckerton flood? Yes: 1,053 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tuckerton, from FEMA’s records: 538.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy500 claims · $37.8M
- The December Storm - nor’easter239 claims · $3.3M
- The “Halloween” storm28 claims · $193K
Tuckerton 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tuckerton
Disasters that paid out in Tuckerton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Tuckerton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Borough of Tuckerton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy797 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$1.1M to the Borough of Tuckerton for repairs500 flood claims paid for it, $37.8M
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$14K to the Borough of Tuckerton for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $16K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Borough of Tuckerton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Snowstorm$10K to the Borough of Tuckerton for repairs8 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 Tuckerton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tuckerton archive →Get ready for what Tuckerton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tuckerton
Is Tuckerton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuckerton has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #452 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (64%) and river and rain flooding (20%). 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 Tuckerton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,053 claims in Tuckerton since 1978, $42.7M in all, or 538.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 60 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (500).
Is Tuckerton 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 Tuckerton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tuckerton’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 Tuckerton?
By FEMA money that reached Tuckerton, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 797 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $1.1M to the Borough of Tuckerton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 500 paid, $37.8M.
Is Tuckerton at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Tuckerton’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tuckerton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tuckerton’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.