Clay County Courthouse · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Green Cove Springs as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Green Cove Springs gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #54 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1992.
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 Green Cove Springs 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
Tornadoes
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 Green Cove Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Green Cove Springs, and Green Cove Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 24% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #54 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Green Cove Springs’ 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, Green Cove Springs has less expected damage per building than 92% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Green Cove Springs: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Green Cove Springs flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Green Cove Springs, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Debby3 claims · $28K
- Hurricane Josephine2 claims · $6K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $11K
Green Cove Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Green Cove Springs
Disasters that paid out in Green Cove Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Green Cove Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton171 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$127K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene$156K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby$24K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$62K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole2 households applied for aid$169 aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian2 households applied for aid$700 aid approved$119K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
Show all 15
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,400 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$439K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$141K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby49 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$15K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$48K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay25 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$98K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne274 households applied for aid$265K aid approved$121K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan19 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances362 households applied for aid$404K aid approved$181K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$8K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs
Clay 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clay County, 1999–2026.
Old photos of Green Cove Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Green Cove Springs archive →Get ready for what Green Cove Springs 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Green Cove Springs
Is Green Cove Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Green Cove Springs has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #54 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Green Cove Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Green Cove Springs since 1992, $567K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Debby (3).
Is Green Cove Springs 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 Clay County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Green Cove Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Green Cove Springs’ 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 Green Cove Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Green Cove Springs, Hurricane Irma (2017): 2,400 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $439K to the City of Green Cove Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Debby: 3 paid, $28K.
Is Green Cove Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Green Cove Springs’ rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Green Cove Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Green Cove Springs’ 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.