On FEMA’s figures, Indian River Shores faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian River Shores gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #620 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (85%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 2004.
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 Indian River Shores’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Indian River Shores 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 Indian River Shores’ grade
Hurricanes are 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indian River Shores, and Indian River Shores’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #620 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indian River Shores’ 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, Indian River Shores has more expected damage per building than 97% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Indian River Shores: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indian River Shores flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indian River Shores, from FEMA’s records: 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances22 claims · $690K
- Hurricane Jeanne17 claims · $165K
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $20K
Indian River Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Indian River County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indian River Shores
Disasters that paid out in Indian River Shores itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Indian River Shores), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$16K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$16K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$66K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1 households applied for aid$18K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2 households applied for aid$68K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne24 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$214K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $165K
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Frances19 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$146K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs22 flood claims paid for it, $690K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$2K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$16K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs
Indian River County has had 23 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Indian River County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Indian River Shores after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indian River Shores archive →Indian River Shores and its neighbors
Indian River Shores has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian River Shores | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 51 |
| Wabasso Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | — |
| Vero Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 704 |
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 Indian River Shores 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.
- Indian River Shores residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Indian River Shores
Is Indian River Shores at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian River Shores has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #620 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (85%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indian River Shores flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Indian River Shores since 2004, $1.0M in all, or 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (22).
Is Indian River Shores 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 Indian River County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Indian River Shores?
Indian River Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Indian River Shores?
By FEMA money that reached Indian River Shores, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 24 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $214K to the Town of Indian River Shores for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 22 paid, $690K.
Is Indian River Shores at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Indian River Shores’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indian River Shores.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indian River Shores’ 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.