More hazard damage per building is expected in Apollo Beach than in 65% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apollo Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #128 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (44%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 1,014 claims here since 1982.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Apollo Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Apollo Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Apollo Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Apollo Beach, and Apollo Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #128 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Apollo Beach’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Apollo Beach has less expected damage per building than 80% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Apollo Beach: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Apollo Beach flood? Yes: 1,014 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Apollo Beach, from FEMA’s records: 79.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene871 claims · $92.0M
- Hurricane Milton25 claims · $641K
- The Blizzard of 199321 claims · $409K
Apollo Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Apollo Beach
Disasters that paid out in Apollo Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to Apollo Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4,252 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved25 flood claims paid for it, $641K
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,998 households applied for aid$6.8M aid approved871 flood claims paid for it, $92.0M
- 2024Hurricane Debby104 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia38 households applied for aid$4K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian952 households applied for aid$348K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma711 households applied for aid$164K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne91 households applied for aid$43K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $220K
- 2004Hurricane Frances28 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Hillsborough County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Apollo Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Apollo Beach archive →Apollo Beach and its neighbors
Apollo Beach is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruskin | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 562 |
| Apollo Beach | Cmore damage than 65% | hurricanes | 1,014 |
| Gibsonton | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 253 |
| Riverview | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
| Sun City Center | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Apollo Beach faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Apollo Beach
Is Apollo Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apollo Beach has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #128 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (44%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Apollo Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,014 claims in Apollo Beach since 1982, $94.8M in all, or 79.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (871).
Is Apollo Beach in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Apollo Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Apollo Beach’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Apollo Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Apollo Beach, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,998 households applied for aid, $6.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 871 paid, $92.0M.
Is Apollo Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Apollo Beach’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Apollo Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Apollo Beach’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.