Photo: Philipp Michel Reichold · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Indian Shores faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Shores gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (43%), then hurricanes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 468 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 Shores’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Indian Shores 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 Shores’ grade
Coastal flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Indian Shores, and Indian Shores’ rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 40%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Indian Shores’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $770K a year in losses across Indian Shores: $648K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Indian Shores flood? Yes: 468 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Indian Shores, from FEMA’s records: 182.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene275 claims · $37.5M
- Hurricane Elena92 claims · $1.5M
- The The ’No-Name Storm’29 claims · $110K
Indian Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Indian Shores
Disasters that paid out in Indian Shores itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Indian Shores), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton94 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$231K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2024Hurricane Helene215 households applied for aid$741K aid approved$671K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs275 flood claims paid for it, $37.5M
- 2023Hurricane Idalia3 households applied for aid$39K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian4 households applied for aid$27K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma107 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$229K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Hermine1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby$5K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$2K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne31 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$25K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$3K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$3K to the Town of Indian Shores 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 Shores after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Indian Shores archive →Indian Shores and its neighbors
Indian Shores is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redington Shores | Cmore damage than 69% | coastal flooding | 906 |
| 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 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.
- 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 Shores 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 Shores
Is Indian Shores at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Indian Shores has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (43%) and hurricanes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Indian Shores flood?
Flood insurance has paid 468 claims in Indian Shores since 1978, $40.5M in all, or 182.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (275).
Is Indian 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 Pinellas County, 19.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Indian Shores?
Indian Shores 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 Shores?
By FEMA money that reached Indian Shores, Hurricane Helene (2024): 215 households applied for aid, $741K approved, and $671K to the Town of Indian Shores for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 275 paid, $37.5M.
Is Indian Shores at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Indian Shores’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Indian Shores.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Indian 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.