States › New Jersey › Ocean County
Ocean County, New Jersey
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 781 events for Ocean County, New Jersey, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 124.3 events per 100 square miles, below the New Jersey figure of 358.7, and 12.0 per 10,000 residents against 28.5 statewide.
26 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 6 deaths and 85 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $35M and crop damage at $2K.
FEMA has designated the county in 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Jones Road Fire (fire management assistance, 24 Apr 2025).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 52,884 claims since 1978, of which 45,509 were paid, totalling $2.6B (about $57K per paid claim). FEMA counts 35,624 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively High" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively High" ($204M a year across 18 hazards).
65 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 3 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with New Jersey and the United States
| Measure | Ocean County | New Jersey | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 781 | 26,382 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 124.3 | 358.7 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 12.0 | 28.5 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 26 | 776 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 6 | 276 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $35M | $28B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 81.5 | 21.8 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $57K | $38K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 1.6 | 10.6 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 525 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 217 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 2025 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | County |
| 30 Aug 2021 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | County |
| 3 May 1998 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | County |
| 30 Jun 2001 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 22 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 23 Jun 2024 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 17 Aug 1988 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 14 | County |
| 29 Jul 2021 | Tornado | Tornado | EF2 | — | — | — | 8 | County |
| 10 Mar 1964 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $250K | — | — | 5 | County |
| 19 Jul 1997 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 1 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 79 mph | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 8 Jul 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 1 Jul 2004 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $50K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 6 May 1998 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 4 Jun 2007 | Heavy Rain | Other | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 16 Jul 2016 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 20 Aug 1999 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $4.2M | — | — | 1 | County |
| 27 Aug 2001 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $300K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 16 Jul 1997 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $100K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 22 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 75 mph | $100K | — | — | 1 | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 2025 | FM-5581 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Jones Road Fire | Public assistance |
| 5 Sep 2021 | DR-4614 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 2 Sep 2021 | EM-3573 | Emergency | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 28 Apr 2021 | DR-4597 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 25 Mar 2020 | DR-4488 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3451 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 14 Mar 2016 | DR-4264 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 30 Oct 2012 | DR-4086 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3354 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 31 Aug 2011 | DR-4021 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2011 | EM-3332 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 4 Feb 2011 | DR-1954 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 2 Apr 2010 | DR-1897 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 5 Feb 2010 | DR-1873 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 22 Dec 2009 | DR-1867 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Ida And A Nor'Eas | Public assistance |
| 16 May 2007 | FM-2695 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Warren Grove Fire | Public assistance |
| 19 Sep 2005 | EM-3257 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 20 Mar 2003 | EM-3181 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 2 Jun 2002 | FM-2411 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Nj - Double Trouble Wildfire - 6/02/02 | Public assistance |
| 19 Sep 2001 | EM-3169 | Emergency | Fire | Fires And Explosions | Public assistance |
| 1 Nov 2000 | EM-3156 | Emergency | Other | West Nile Virus | Public assistance |
| 17 Sep 1999 | EM-3148 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations | Public assistance |
| 3 Mar 1998 | DR-1206 | Major disaster | Coastal Storm | Severe Winter Coastal Storm, High Winds, Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Jan 1996 | DR-1088 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Public assistance |
| 17 Mar 1993 | EM-3106 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard | Public assistance |
| 18 Dec 1992 | DR-973 | Major disaster | Flood | Coastal Storm, High Tides, Heavy Rain, & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 3 Mar 1992 | DR-936 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Coastal Storm | Public assistance |
| 12 Apr 1984 | DR-701 | Major disaster | Flood | Coastal Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 19 Oct 1980 | EM-3083 | Emergency | Drought | Water Shortage | Public assistance |
| 8 Feb 1977 | DR-528 | Major disaster | Severe Ice Storm | Ice Conditions | Individual assistance |
| 21 Aug 1976 | DR-519 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 4 Sep 1971 | DR-310 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 18 Aug 1965 | DR-205 | Major disaster | Drought | Water Shortage | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 2 | $40,656 | $20,328 |
| 2025 | 71 | 51 | $1,541,145 | $30,219 |
| 2024 | 87 | 57 | $840,712 | $14,749 |
| 2023 | 32 | 19 | $218,653 | $11,508 |
| 2022 | 68 | 33 | $472,907 | $14,331 |
| 2021 | 113 | 48 | $677,954 | $14,124 |
| 2020 | 29 | 9 | $78,918 | $8,769 |
| 2019 | 38 | 15 | $191,284 | $12,752 |
| 2018 | 63 | 32 | $561,786 | $17,556 |
| 2017 | 54 | 29 | $518,506 | $17,880 |
| 2016 | 71 | 39 | $751,557 | $19,271 |
| 2015 | 27 | 9 | $42,794 | $4,755 |
| 2014 | 144 | 82 | $972,651 | $11,862 |
| 2013 | 64 | 17 | $309,929 | $18,231 |
| 2012 | 37,797 | 34,852 | $2,489,560,073 | $71,432 |
| 2011 | 1,156 | 844 | $18,436,031 | $21,844 |
| 2010 | 306 | 181 | $1,803,192 | $9,962 |
| 2009 | 161 | 115 | $1,422,499 | $12,370 |
| 2008 | 59 | 38 | $396,680 | $10,439 |
| 2007 | 70 | 22 | $200,578 | $9,117 |
| 2006 | 407 | 317 | $4,278,401 | $13,497 |
| 2005 | 380 | 309 | $5,470,253 | $17,703 |
| 2004 | 29 | 11 | $137,107 | $12,464 |
| 2003 | 113 | 52 | $411,041 | $7,905 |
| 2002 | 54 | 28 | $189,876 | $6,781 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $99,815,251 | |
| Strong wind | $38,591,551 | |
| Coastal flooding | $19,181,578 | |
| Hurricane | $13,432,461 | |
| Earthquake | $7,243,557 | |
| Cold wave | $7,178,279 | |
| Heat wave | $6,594,674 | |
| Wildfire | $3,568,856 | |
| Lightning | $2,812,648 | |
| Winter weather | $2,151,888 | |
| Ice storm | $1,428,558 | |
| Tornado | $1,058,385 | |
| Hail | $365,565 | |
| Drought | $318,189 | |
| Landslide | $2,016 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 68 mi | 58 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 71 mi | 46 mph |
| Fay | 2020 | 23 mi | 58 mph |
| Isaias | 2020 | 84 mi | 63 mph |
| Andrea | 2013 | 35 mi | 46 mph |
| Sandy | 2012 | 28 mi | 86 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 31 mi | 69 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 16 mi | 52 mph |
| Barry | 2007 | 82 mi | 46 mph |
| Twenty-two | 2005 | 90 mi | 46 mph |
| Charley | 2004 | 46 mi | 40 mph |
| Gaston | 2004 | 90 mi | 40 mph |
| Jeanne | 2004 | 77 mi | 40 mph |
| Allison | 2001 | 60 mi | 46 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 65 mi | 58 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 26 mi | 69 mph |
| Danielle | 1992 | 89 mi | 40 mph |
| Bob | 1991 | 95 mi | 109 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 72 mi | 86 mph |
| Henri | 1985 | 55 mi | 40 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 78 mi | 92 mph |
| Agnes | 1972 | 51 mi | 63 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 97 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 67 mi | 63 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 80 mi | 63 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 08008 14,177
- 08087 5,368
- 08753 4,912
- 08050 4,649
- 08735 4,430
- 08742 4,081
- 08751 2,777
- 08723 2,491
- 08731 1,522
- 08721 1,503
- 08752 1,442
- 08738 1,331
- 08758 652
- 08724 638
- 08734 580
- 08739 572
- 08740 425
- 08005 380
- 08006 234
- 08092 229
- 08757 79
- 08732 56
- 08741 44
- 08533 37
- 08722 36
- 08527 21
- 08701 21
- 08755 12
- 08754 6
- 08759 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Ocean County, NJ?
NCEI records 89 hail events in Ocean County since 1950, in 36 different years; that is about 1.2 recorded events a year. 10 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Ocean County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 20 tornadoes in Ocean County since 1950, 6 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Ocean County?
24 Apr 2025: Jones Road Fire, a fire management assistance declaration for fire. The county appears in 33 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Ocean County, and how much was paid?
52,884 NFIP claims since 1978, 45,509 of them paid, for $2.6B in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Ocean County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively High" for overall risk, "Relatively High" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Moderate" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Ocean County compare with the rest of New Jersey?
124.3 recorded events per 100 square miles against 358.7 statewide, and 81.5 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 21.8. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.