Monmouth County Disaster Risk
Monmouth County, New Jersey
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
96th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#5
of 21 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
96th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County carries above-average disaster risk
Monmouth County scores 96.31 out of 100 for composite risk, placing it in the relatively high category and substantially above national and state averages. This score reflects the county's coastal exposure and vulnerability to multiple hazard types.
Fourth-highest risk in New Jersey
Monmouth County ranks fourth statewide in disaster risk with a composite score of 96.31, trailing only Middlesex, Hudson, and Mercer counties. Its score exceeds the state average of 90.81 by more than 5 points.
More exposed than inland counterparts
Monmouth County (96.31) carries higher risk than Ocean County (96.15) to the north and substantially more than Morris County (92.88) inland. Its coastal location drives elevated flood and hurricane exposure compared to neighboring counties.
Coastal flooding and wildfires lead
Monmouth County faces flood risk at 95.80, driven by its extensive Atlantic coastline and coastal plain geography. Wildfire risk scores an unusually high 88.77 for New Jersey, while hurricane risk (93.07) and earthquake risk (93.96) round out significant multi-hazard exposure.
Flood and wind insurance are essential
Monmouth County residents should prioritize flood insurance given the 95.80 flood risk score and coastal storm exposure. Add comprehensive windstorm coverage, ensure your homeowner policy is current, and maintain emergency supplies for hurricane season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Monmouth County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Monmouth County
Risk Verdict
With a national rank of 96th percentile, Monmouth County faces above-average natural disaster pressure across several hazard categories. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Monmouth County.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Monmouth County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (93th percentile), wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (55th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Monmouth County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary earthquake exposure at the 94th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Monmouth County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
Monmouth County falls 5.5 points above New Jersey's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Monmouth County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Monmouth County, NJ?
What types of natural hazards affect Monmouth County?
How does Monmouth County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Is Monmouth County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Monmouth County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.