Shadow Lawn · Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, West Long Branch’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Long Branch gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #265 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then strong wind (38%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1984.
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 West Long Branch 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 West Long Branch’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Long Branch, and West Long Branch’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 38%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #265 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Long Branch’s residents live in 2 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, West Long Branch has more expected damage per building than 57% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across West Long Branch: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Long Branch flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Long Branch, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $15K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
West Long Branch 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Long Branch
Disasters that paid out in West Long Branch itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West Long Branch), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy127 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$244K to the Borough of West Long Branch for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene25 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$17K to the Borough of West Long Branch for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$44K to the Borough of West Long Branch for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 West Long Branch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Long Branch archive →West Long Branch and its neighbors
West Long Branch is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Township | B−more damage than 51% | strong wind | 945 |
| West Long Branch | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Long Branch | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,107 |
| Eatontown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Oceanport | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 871 |
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 West Long Branch 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 West Long Branch
Is West Long Branch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Long Branch has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #265 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and strong wind (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Long Branch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in West Long Branch since 1984, $66K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is West Long Branch 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 West Long Branch?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Long Branch’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 West Long Branch?
By FEMA money that reached West Long Branch, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 127 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $244K to the Borough of West Long Branch for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $15K.
Is West Long Branch at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and West Long Branch’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Long Branch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Long Branch’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.