Photo: Bestbudbrian · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Upper Freehold Township than in 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Freehold Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #306 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then strong wind (43%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Upper Freehold 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
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 Upper Freehold Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Freehold Township, and Upper Freehold Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 43%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #306 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Upper Freehold Township’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, Upper Freehold Township has more expected damage per building than 65% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Upper Freehold Township: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Freehold Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Freehold Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $8K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $4K
Upper Freehold Township 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Upper Freehold Township
Disasters that paid out in Upper Freehold Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Upper Freehold Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to Upper Freehold Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$34K to Upper Freehold Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$71K to Upper Freehold Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to Upper Freehold Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to Upper Freehold Township 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 Upper Freehold Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Freehold Township archive →Upper Freehold Township and its neighbors
Upper Freehold Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robbinsville Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| North Hanover Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Upper Freehold Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Millstone Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Allentown | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Roosevelt | — | 996 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Upper Freehold 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.
- 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 Upper Freehold Township
Is Upper Freehold Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Freehold Township has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #306 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and strong wind (43%). 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 Upper Freehold Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Upper Freehold Township since 1980, $13K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Upper Freehold 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 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 Upper Freehold Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Freehold Township’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 Upper Freehold Township?
By FEMA money that reached Upper Freehold Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): $71K to Upper Freehold Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Upper Freehold Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Upper Freehold Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Freehold Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Freehold 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.