Photo: Jec8992 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Indian Rocks Beach’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Rocks Beach gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #372 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (55%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1,831 claims here since 1978.
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 Rocks Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Indian Rocks Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Rocks Beach’s grade
Coastal flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indian Rocks Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 30%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #372 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indian Rocks Beach’s residents live in 2 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 Rocks Beach has more expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Indian Rocks Beach: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indian Rocks Beach flood? Yes: 1,831 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indian Rocks Beach, from FEMA’s records: 536.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1,092 claims · $115M
- The Blizzard of 1993325 claims · $3.5M
- Hurricane Elena176 claims · $1.8M
Indian Rocks Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indian Rocks Beach
Disasters that paid out in Indian Rocks Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Indian Rocks Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton682 households applied for aid$922K aid approved$1.2M to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,339 households applied for aid$9.2M aid approved$271K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs1,092 flood claims paid for it, $115M
- 2024Hurricane Debby21 households applied for aid$16K aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $279K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia70 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$94K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs52 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2022Hurricane Ian76 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$24K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma731 households applied for aid$206K aid approved$237K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2016Hurricane Hermine10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$31K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby19 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$8K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $279K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$3K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne53 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$25K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances34 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$27K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$10K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs
Pinellas County has had 32 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pinellas County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Indian Rocks Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indian Rocks Beach archive →Indian Rocks Beach and its neighbors
Indian Rocks Beach is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largo | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 645 |
| Harbor Bluffs | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 269 |
| Indian Shores | Cmore damage than 70% | coastal flooding | 468 |
| Indian Rocks Beach | C−more damage than 84% | coastal flooding | 1,831 |
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 Rocks Beach faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Rocks Beach 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 Indian Rocks Beach
Is Indian Rocks Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Rocks Beach has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #372 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (55%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indian Rocks Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,831 claims in Indian Rocks Beach since 1978, $124M in all, or 536.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 82 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1,092).
Is Indian Rocks Beach 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 Pinellas County, 19.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Indian Rocks Beach?
Indian Rocks Beach 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 Indian Rocks Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Indian Rocks Beach, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,339 households applied for aid, $9.2M approved, and $271K to the City of Indian Rocks Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1,092 paid, $115M.
Is Indian Rocks Beach at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Indian Rocks Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indian Rocks Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indian Rocks Beach’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.