FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kenneth City than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenneth City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #479 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Kenneth City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kenneth City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Kenneth City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenneth City, and Kenneth City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 23%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #479 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenneth City’s residents live in 5 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, Kenneth City has more expected damage per building than 75% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Kenneth City: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenneth City flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenneth City, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton5 claims · $292K
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $928
Kenneth City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenneth City
Disasters that paid out in Kenneth City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kenneth City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton843 households applied for aid$567K aid approved$328K to the Town of Kenneth City for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $292K
- 2024Hurricane Helene259 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby24 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia51 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian134 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$17K to the Town of Kenneth City for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma833 households applied for aid$280K aid approved$49K to the Town of Kenneth City for repairs
Show all 9
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$3K to the Town of Kenneth City for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne17 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$15K to the Town of Kenneth City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $928
- 2004Hurricane Frances2 households applied for aid$8K to the Town of Kenneth City 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 Kenneth City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenneth City archive →Kenneth City and its neighbors
Kenneth City is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | C+more damage than 61% | hurricanes | 13,766 |
| Pinellas Park | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 651 |
| Lealman | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Kenneth City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| West Lealman | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 290 |
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 Kenneth City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kenneth City residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kenneth City
Is Kenneth City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenneth City has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #479 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenneth City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Kenneth City since 1979, $309K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (5).
Is Kenneth City 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 Kenneth City?
Kenneth City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Kenneth City?
By FEMA money that reached Kenneth City, Hurricane Milton (2024): 843 households applied for aid, $567K approved, and $328K to the Town of Kenneth City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 5 paid, $292K.
Is Kenneth City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Kenneth City’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenneth City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenneth City’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.