Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fruit Cove than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fruit Cove gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #236 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 Fruit Cove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fruit Cove faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Fruit Cove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fruit Cove, and Fruit Cove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 23% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #236 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fruit Cove’s residents live in 7 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, Fruit Cove has less expected damage per building than 63% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.6M a year in losses across Fruit Cove: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fruit Cove flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fruit Cove, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma29 claims · $3.2M
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $270K
- Hurricane Jeanne2 claims · $23K
Fruit Cove 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. Johns County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fruit Cove
Disasters that paid out in Fruit Cove itself (aid to households or repair grants to Fruit Cove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma28 households applied for aid$9K aid approved29 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2004Hurricane Frances7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
St. Johns County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Fruit Cove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fruit Cove archive →Fruit Cove and its neighbors
Fruit Cove 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3,865 |
| Fruit Cove | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
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 Fruit Cove faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fruit Cove
Is Fruit Cove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fruit Cove has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #236 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fruit Cove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Fruit Cove since 1979, $4.2M in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (29).
Is Fruit Cove 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. Johns County, 23.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fruit Cove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fruit Cove’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fruit Cove?
By FEMA money that reached Fruit Cove, Hurricane Irma (2017): 28 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 29 paid, $3.2M.
Is Fruit Cove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Fruit Cove’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fruit Cove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fruit Cove’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.