Natural Disaster Risk in Forked River
New Jersey
Risk Summary for Forked River
Forked River scores 8.0/10 (Very High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
High-risk area — review your coverage carefully
Properties in very high-risk areas often require specialized coverage that standard homeowners policies do not include. Consider flood insurance through the NFIP, wildfire-specific endorsements, or earthquake riders depending on your top hazards. Premiums in these areas can be significantly higher than average.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Forked River, New Jersey
Forked River, in Ocean County, is a city of approximately 21,629 residents situated along the mid-Atlantic coast. Its humid subtropical climate brings warm summers, cold winters, and significant coastal storm exposure, and in particular nor'easters, coastal flooding, and tropical storm threats. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Forked River residents and property owners must navigate.
Forked River's overall natural disaster risk is rated 8.0/10 (Very High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Secondary hazards include wind and winter.
Within New Jersey, Forked River's risk is, slightly above the 7.4/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Ocean County identifies coastal flood as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Given Forked River's very high risk classification, residents should treat disaster preparedness as a year-round priority. This means maintaining updated homeowners and flood insurance, building a 72-hour emergency kit, knowing the evacuation routes for the primary hazards, and signing up for local emergency alert systems.
What this means for Forked River: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
Local Factors for Forked River
These city-level factors differentiate Forked River from other communities in Ocean County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
21,629
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 39.9°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 9.6/10
Coordinates
39.8595° N, 74.2936° W
Ocean County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Forked River
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Forked River
Other cities in New Jersey
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.