Photo: JonathanPuello · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fort Pierce than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Pierce gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #548 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (83%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 807 claims here since 1979.
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 Fort Pierce’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Pierce 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’s grade
Hurricanes are 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Pierce, and Fort Pierce’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #548 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Pierce’s residents live in 15 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 has more expected damage per building than 86% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.6M a year in losses across Fort Pierce: $25.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Pierce flood? Yes: 807 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Pierce, from FEMA’s records: 35.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances302 claims · $15.0M
- Hurricane Jeanne293 claims · $9.9M
- Hurricane Irma54 claims · $4.7M
Fort Pierce is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: St. Lucie County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Pierce
Disasters that paid out in Fort Pierce itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Pierce), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,275 households applied for aid$11.1M aid approved$588K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$54K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$91K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma14,608 households applied for aid$8.8M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs54 flood claims paid for it, $4.7M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$381K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 15
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$121K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay1,540 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$174K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2005Hurricane Wilma4,106 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne15,391 households applied for aid$34.0M aid approved$6.0M to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs293 flood claims paid for it, $9.9M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan413 households applied for aid$53K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $556K
- 2004Hurricane Frances20,659 households applied for aid$26.5M aid approved$32.7M to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs302 flood claims paid for it, $15.0M
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$3K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$66K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $132K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$74K to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs
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.
Old photos of Fort Pierce after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Pierce archive →Fort Pierce and its neighbors
Fort Pierce has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. 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 | — |
| Fort Pierce North | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 11 |
| White City | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Indian River Estates | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | — |
| St. Lucie Village | — | 714 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 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.
- Fort Pierce 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 Fort Pierce
Is Fort Pierce at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Pierce has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #548 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (83%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Pierce flood?
Flood insurance has paid 807 claims in Fort Pierce since 1979, $33.3M in all, or 35.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 130 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (302).
Is Fort Pierce 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?
Fort Pierce 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 Fort Pierce?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Pierce, Hurricane Frances (2004): 20,659 households applied for aid, $26.5M approved, and $32.7M to the City of Fort Pierce for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 302 paid, $15.0M.
Is Fort Pierce at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Fort Pierce’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.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Pierce’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.