Richardson House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bradenton than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bradenton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #470 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 658 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 Bradenton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bradenton 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
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 Bradenton’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bradenton, and Bradenton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #470 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bradenton’s residents live in 25 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, Bradenton has more expected damage per building than 74% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.5M a year in losses across Bradenton: $24.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bradenton flood? Yes: 658 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bradenton, from FEMA’s records: 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene201 claims · $22.7M
- Hurricane Jeanne70 claims · $1.5M
- The Blizzard of 199353 claims · $699K
Bradenton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Manatee County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bradenton
Disasters that paid out in Bradenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bradenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton47,312 households applied for aid$46.1M aid approved$4.7M to the City of Bradenton for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $615K
- 2024Hurricane Helene10,406 households applied for aid$21.2M aid approved$576K to the City of Bradenton for repairs201 flood claims paid for it, $22.7M
- 2024Hurricane Debby3,265 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Bradenton for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia853 households applied for aid$872K aid approved$464K to the City of Bradenton for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2022Hurricane Ian19,010 households applied for aid$11.1M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Bradenton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma21,521 households applied for aid$7.4M aid approved$2.4M to the City of Bradenton for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Show all 16
- 2016Hurricane Hermine245 households applied for aid$566K aid approved$34K to the City of Bradenton for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby393 households applied for aid$257K aid approved$39K to the City of Bradenton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$12K to the City of Bradenton for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,909 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$189K to the City of Bradenton for repairs70 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan137 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances731 households applied for aid$876K aid approved$305K to the City of Bradenton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley366 households applied for aid$373K aid approved$57K to the City of Bradenton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Bradenton for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$317K to the City of Bradenton for repairs53 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Tropical Storm Irene - Florida$3K to the City of Bradenton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Manatee County has had 37 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 Manatee County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Bradenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bradenton archive →Bradenton and its neighbors
Bradenton is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Samoset | Dmore damage than 88% | hurricanes | 2 |
| South Bradenton | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 150 |
| West Bradenton | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 106 |
| Samoset | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | — |
| Bradenton | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 658 |
| Ellenton | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 164 |
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 Bradenton 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.
- 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.
- Bradenton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bradenton
Is Bradenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bradenton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #470 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bradenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 658 claims in Bradenton since 1982, $31.0M in all, or 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 92 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (201).
Is Bradenton 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 Manatee County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bradenton?
Bradenton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bradenton?
By FEMA money that reached Bradenton, Hurricane Milton (2024): 47,312 households applied for aid, $46.1M approved, and $4.7M to the City of Bradenton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 201 paid, $22.7M.
Is Bradenton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Bradenton’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bradenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bradenton’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.