FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fort Pierce South than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Pierce South gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #555 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Fort Pierce South 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
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 Fort Pierce South’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Pierce South, and Fort Pierce South’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
D #555 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Pierce South’s residents live in 2 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, Fort Pierce South has more expected damage per building than 87% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Fort Pierce South: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Pierce South flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fort Pierce South. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fort Pierce South isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Lucie County.The storms Fort Pierce South remembers
None of the 26 disasters declared for St. Lucie County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Fort Pierce South itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
St. Lucie County has had 26 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in St. Lucie County, 1999–2007.
Fort Pierce South and its neighbors
Fort Pierce South 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Pierce | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 807 |
| Fort Pierce South | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 0 |
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 Fort Pierce South 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.
- 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 Fort Pierce South
Is Fort Pierce South at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Pierce South has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #555 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fort Pierce South 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 St. Lucie County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Pierce South?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Pierce South’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Fort Pierce South at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Fort Pierce South’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Pierce South.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Pierce South’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.