Fell, Marian, Library · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Fellsmere faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fellsmere gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #627 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 Fellsmere’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fellsmere 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
Wildfire
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 Fellsmere’s grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fellsmere, and Fellsmere’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #627 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fellsmere’s residents live in 3 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, Fellsmere has more expected damage per building than 98% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Fellsmere: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fellsmere flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fellsmere, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $47K
Fellsmere is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Indian River County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fellsmere
Disasters that paid out in Fellsmere itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fellsmere), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton243 households applied for aid$130K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian$17K to the City of Fellsmere for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma500 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$388K to the City of Fellsmere for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew22 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma40 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$27K to the City of Fellsmere for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne865 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$275K to the City of Fellsmere for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances526 households applied for aid$543K aid approved$250K to the City of Fellsmere for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $47K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Indian River County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Indian River County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Fellsmere after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fellsmere archive →Fellsmere and its neighbors
Fellsmere is 2nd of the 3 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 Vero Corridor | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | — |
| Fellsmere | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Vero Lake Estates | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | — |
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 Fellsmere 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Fellsmere 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 Fellsmere
Is Fellsmere at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fellsmere has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #627 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fellsmere flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Fellsmere since 2004, $47K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (1).
Is Fellsmere 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 Indian River County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fellsmere?
Fellsmere 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 Fellsmere?
By FEMA money that reached Fellsmere, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 865 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $275K to the City of Fellsmere for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 1 paid, $47K.
Is Fellsmere at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Fellsmere’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fellsmere.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fellsmere’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.