Stafford Township, New Jersey Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Stafford Township faces flooding from Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay, and the surrounding tidal marshlands. Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to bayside and beach-area properties throughout the township.
Ocean County has recorded 52,870 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $2.4B in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 2
NFIP Policies
48,022
Ocean County
Avg. Premium
$1,063/yr
Ocean County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Ocean County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $99.8M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $19.2M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $13.4M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Ocean County
Ocean County has been included in 13 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 5 earlier declarations since 1971.
These declarations affected communities across Ocean County, including Stafford Township.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Ocean County
Properties in Ocean County have filed 52,870 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.4B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $46K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
37,797 claims - $2.3B
1992
6,929 claims - $66.8M
2011
1,156 claims - $17.3M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Stafford Township
Stafford Township faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Stafford Township are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $99.8M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Stafford Township's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Stafford Township means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Stafford Township address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Stafford Township
Stafford Township participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 5
SFHA Premium Discount
25% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Stafford Township's Class 5 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Stafford Township, NJ Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Stafford Township, NJ?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Stafford Township are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Stafford Township?
If your Stafford Township property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Stafford Township?
Enter your Stafford Township address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Stafford Township offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Stafford Township participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 5 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 25% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Stafford Township experienced major flooding events?
Ocean County, where Stafford Township is located, has been part of 13 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Stafford Township?
Ocean County has recorded 52,870 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.4B in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 37,797 claims and $2.3B in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Stafford Township.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Stafford Township?
Ocean County currently has 48,022 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,063. The most policies are in Zone AE (39,205 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Stafford Township property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Stafford Township?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Stafford Township's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Look Up Any Stafford Township, NJ Address
Enter a Stafford Township, NJ address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.