New Jersey averages 2 hurricane impacts per decade. Peak season runs August – October. Know your risk, know your zone, and sign up for alerts before the season starts.
Superstorm Sandy (2012) caused $65 billion in damage in New Jersey alone, destroying 346,000 homes and killing 37 people in the state.
NJ uses county-level evacuation orders. Shore communities (Ocean, Monmouth, Atlantic, Cape May counties) are highest risk.
Prep tip: NJ's barrier islands (Long Beach Island, Ocean City, Wildwood) have limited evacuation routes. Leave early — do not wait for mandatory orders.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Peak activity in New Jersey typically occurs during August – October. The statistical peak of the season is September 10.
Up to 9 feet along the Jersey Shore; Sandy pushed 9.5 feet at The Battery in NYC. Storm surge is the deadliest aspect of a hurricane — it can arrive hours before the storm's center. Use our storm surge lookup at /storm-surge to check your specific ZIP code.
New Jersey has a moderate hurricane risk. Standard homeowner's insurance covers wind damage but not flooding. Consider a separate NFIP flood policy if you're in a flood zone. See our full guide at /hurricane-insurance.
Start before the season: know your evacuation zone, build a 7-day emergency kit, have a family communication plan, and sign up for local emergency alerts. Use our preparedness checklist builder at /preparedness for a personalized list.