Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Jensen Beach than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jensen Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #562 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 101 claims here since 1979.
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 Jensen Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jensen Beach 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 Jensen Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jensen Beach, and Jensen Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 17% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
D #562 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jensen Beach’s 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, Jensen Beach has more expected damage per building than 88% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Jensen Beach: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jensen Beach flood? Yes: 101 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jensen Beach, from FEMA’s records: 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne23 claims · $1.0M
- Hurricane Frances16 claims · $443K
- Tropical Storm Fay13 claims · $360K
Jensen Beach 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 Jensen Beach
Disasters that paid out in Jensen Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to Jensen Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton334 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,263 households applied for aid$367K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay50 households applied for aid$116K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $360K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,000 households applied for aid$715K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $69K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne3,467 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved23 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan56 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances3,595 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved16 flood claims paid for it, $443K
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 Jensen Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jensen Beach archive →Jensen Beach and its neighbors
Jensen Beach is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 86 |
| Rio | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | — |
| Jensen Beach | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 101 |
| Port St. Lucie | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 194 |
| Sewall's Point | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 95 |
| Ocean Breeze | — | 777 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 Jensen 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.
- 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 Jensen Beach
Is Jensen Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jensen Beach has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #562 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jensen Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 101 claims in Jensen Beach since 1979, $2.4M in all, or 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (23).
Is Jensen 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 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 Jensen Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jensen Beach’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 Jensen Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Jensen Beach, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 3,467 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 23 paid, $1.0M.
Is Jensen Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Jensen Beach’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jensen Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jensen 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.