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D−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Big Pine Key · FEMA

FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Big Pine Key than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Pine Key gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #636 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (59%), then coastal flooding (35%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.

Hurricanes 59%Coastal flooding 35%River and rain flooding 6%

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

among the highestof U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#636 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
D−#636 of 638
in Florida · among the highest of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hurricanes
59% of expected building damage
Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
4
of 35 declared for Monroe County

What stands out about Big Pine Key’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Coastal flooding: the top 1% of U.S. tractsFEMA’s building-damage rate for coastal flooding here ranks in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts; it is 35.3% of the damage it expects.Made safer with FEMA grants209 buildings retrofitted against wind; 5 homes raised above flood level; 4 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.
By hazard

What Big Pine Key faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Hurricanes

59%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 4 years in the area

Coastal flooding

35%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts

River and rain flooding

6%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Hail Strong wind Earthquakes Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Winter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Big Pine Key’s grade

Hurricanes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Pine Key, and Big Pine Key’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Big Pine Key sits
Big Pine Key
Least damageMiddleMost damage

D− #636 of 638 in Florida; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).

Big Pine Key’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hurricanes59%Coastal flooding35%River and rain flooding6%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Big Pine Key has more expected damage per building than 100% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Big Pine Key: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 3,052 aid registrations from Big Pine Key addresses (the town has 2,884 homes).
A small-area figure. Big Pine Key covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Big Pine Key flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Big Pine Key. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Big Pine Key isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Monroe County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
209buildings retrofitted against wind
5homes raised above flood level
4flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Pine Key

Disasters that paid out in Big Pine Key itself (aid to households or repair grants to Big Pine Key), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2022Hurricane Ian76 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
  2. 2017Hurricane Irma3,052 households applied for aid$10.6M aid approved
  3. 2005Hurricane Wilma1,148 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
  4. 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Big Pine KeyMonroe County only

Monroe County has had 35 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Monroe County, 1999–2001.

Were you here?

Old photos of Big Pine Key after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Big Pine Key archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Big Pine Key faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the tide surges
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Big Pine Key

Is Big Pine Key at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Pine Key has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #636 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (59%) and coastal flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Is Big Pine Key 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 Monroe County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 58.2% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Big Pine Key?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Pine Key’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 Big Pine Key?

By FEMA money that reached Big Pine Key, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3,052 households applied for aid, $10.6M approved.

Is Big Pine Key at risk from hurricanes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Big Pine Key’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Pine Key.

Town Square →
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Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Pine Key’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.