Photo: AirportExpert · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hobe Sound than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hobe Sound gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #554 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 Hobe Sound’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hobe Sound 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 Hobe Sound’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hobe Sound, and Hobe Sound’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #554 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hobe Sound’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, Hobe Sound has more expected damage per building than 87% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Hobe Sound: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hobe Sound flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hobe Sound, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne8 claims · $390K
- Hurricane Frances4 claims · $225K
- Tropical Storm Fay2 claims · $12K
Hobe Sound isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Martin County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hobe Sound
Disasters that paid out in Hobe Sound itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hobe Sound), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton301 households applied for aid$253K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,224 households applied for aid$481K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay22 households applied for aid$14K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma908 households applied for aid$749K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,028 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $390K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan28 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances2,203 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $225K
Martin County has had 27 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 Martin County, 1999–2009.
Old photos of Hobe Sound after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hobe Sound archive →Hobe Sound and its neighbors
Hobe Sound has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobe Sound | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 41 |
| Jupiter Island | — | 845 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 Hobe Sound 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 Hobe Sound
Is Hobe Sound at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hobe Sound has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #554 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hobe Sound flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Hobe Sound since 1984, $1.2M in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (8).
Is Hobe Sound 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 Martin County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hobe Sound?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hobe Sound’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 Hobe Sound?
By FEMA money that reached Hobe Sound, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 2,028 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 8 paid, $390K.
Is Hobe Sound at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Hobe Sound’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hobe Sound.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hobe Sound’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.