Photo: Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Jupiter than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jupiter gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #148 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 227 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 Jupiter’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jupiter 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 Jupiter’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jupiter, and Jupiter’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #148 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jupiter’s residents live in 20 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, Jupiter has less expected damage per building than 77% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.5M a year in losses across Jupiter: $17.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jupiter flood? Yes: 227 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jupiter, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne26 claims · $412K
- Hurricane Frances23 claims · $868K
- Hurricane Irene17 claims · $52K
Jupiter is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jupiter
Disasters that paid out in Jupiter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jupiter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton317 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$160K to the Town of Jupiter for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$121K to the Town of Jupiter for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian671 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$178K to the Town of Jupiter for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$239K to the Town of Jupiter for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,303 households applied for aid$944K aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Jupiter for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma2,353 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$1.8M to the Town of Jupiter for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne4,993 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$5.6M to the Town of Jupiter for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $412K
- 2004Hurricane Frances5,401 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$3.0M to the Town of Jupiter for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $868K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$207K to the Town of Jupiter for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $52K
Palm Beach County has had 29 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Palm Beach County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Jupiter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jupiter archive →Jupiter and its neighbors
Jupiter is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juno Beach | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 23 |
| Jupiter | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 227 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 171 |
| Tequesta | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 32 |
| Jupiter Farms | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | 18 |
| Jupiter Inlet Colony | — | 511 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 Jupiter 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.
- Jupiter 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 Jupiter
Is Jupiter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jupiter has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #148 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jupiter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 227 claims in Jupiter since 1978, $3.3M in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (26).
Is Jupiter 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 Palm Beach County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jupiter?
Jupiter 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 Jupiter?
By FEMA money that reached Jupiter, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 4,993 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $5.6M to the Town of Jupiter for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 26 paid, $412K.
Is Jupiter at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jupiter’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jupiter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jupiter’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.