FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Flagler Beach than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flagler Beach gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #372 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 986 claims here since 1984.
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 Flagler Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Flagler 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
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 Flagler Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flagler Beach, and Flagler Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #372 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Flagler Beach’s residents live in 5 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, Flagler Beach has more expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Flagler Beach: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flagler Beach flood? Yes: 986 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flagler Beach, from FEMA’s records: 266.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma499 claims · $41.4M
- Hurricane Nicole222 claims · $14.9M
- Hurricane Ian81 claims · $4.3M
Flagler Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Flagler County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Flagler Beach
Disasters that paid out in Flagler Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Flagler Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton416 households applied for aid$485K aid approved$286K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $934K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole212 households applied for aid$379K aid approved$162K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs222 flood claims paid for it, $14.9M
- 2022Hurricane Ian447 households applied for aid$594K aid approved$596K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs81 flood claims paid for it, $4.3M
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$45K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,246 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs499 flood claims paid for it, $41.4M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew761 households applied for aid$313K aid approved$13.0M to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs39 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
Show all 14
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$7K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$62K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne156 households applied for aid$140K aid approved$21K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan16 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances551 households applied for aid$348K aid approved$101K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs52 flood claims paid for it, $969K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley177 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$190K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$115K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$149K to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Flagler County has had 24 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 Flagler County, 2000–2007.
Old photos of Flagler Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flagler Beach archive →Flagler Beach and its neighbors
Flagler Beach is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Coast | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 49 |
| Flagler Beach | C−more damage than 84% | hurricanes | 986 |
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 Flagler 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.
- 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.
- Flagler Beach residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Flagler Beach
Is Flagler Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flagler Beach has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #372 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Flagler Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 986 claims in Flagler Beach since 1984, $64.9M in all, or 266.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 199 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (499).
Is Flagler 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 Flagler County, 15.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Flagler Beach?
Flagler Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Flagler Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Flagler Beach, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 761 households applied for aid, $313K approved, and $13.0M to the City of Flagler Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 499 paid, $41.4M.
Is Flagler Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Flagler Beach’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flagler Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flagler 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.