Photo: The original uploader was Baylink at English Wikipedia.. Copyright 2005 Jay R. Ashworth. · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Largo than in 61% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Largo gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #90 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 645 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 Largo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Largo 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 Largo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Largo, and Largo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #90 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Largo’s residents live in 41 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, Largo has less expected damage per building than 86% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.0M a year in losses across Largo: $15.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Largo flood? Yes: 645 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Largo, from FEMA’s records: 13.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene283 claims · $44.4M
- Hurricane Milton169 claims · $31.7M
- Hurricane Hermine16 claims · $314K
Largo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Largo
Disasters that paid out in Largo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Largo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton22,370 households applied for aid$26.8M aid approved$4.9M to the City of Largo for repairs169 flood claims paid for it, $31.7M
- 2024Hurricane Helene8,244 households applied for aid$7.4M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Largo for repairs283 flood claims paid for it, $44.4M
- 2024Hurricane Debby827 households applied for aid$663K aid approved$160K to the City of Largo for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $325K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia1,207 households applied for aid$515K aid approved$255K to the City of Largo for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian3,961 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$619K to the City of Largo for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma19,312 households applied for aid$6.3M aid approved$2.5M to the City of Largo for repairs
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine68 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$169K to the City of Largo for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $314K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby147 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$13K to the City of Largo for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $325K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne487 households applied for aid$423K aid approved$728K to the City of Largo for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances270 households applied for aid$208K aid approved$587K to the City of Largo for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$937 aid approved$137K to the City of Largo 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 Largo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Largo archive →Largo and its neighbors
Largo is 6th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Highpoint | Bless damage than 60% | hurricanes | — |
| Belleair Bluffs | Bless damage than 56% | hurricanes | 9 |
| Ridgecrest | B−less damage than 54% | hurricanes | 3 |
| Belleair | B−more damage than 53% | hurricanes | 183 |
| Clearwater | B−more damage than 53% | hurricanes | 2,320 |
| Largo | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 645 |
| Harbor Bluffs | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 269 |
| Pinellas Park | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 651 |
| 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 Largo 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.
- Largo 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 Largo
Is Largo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Largo has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #90 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Largo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 645 claims in Largo since 1979, $78.7M in all, or 13.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (283).
Is Largo 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 Largo?
Largo 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 Largo?
By FEMA money that reached Largo, Hurricane Milton (2024): 22,370 households applied for aid, $26.8M approved, and $4.9M to the City of Largo for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 283 paid, $44.4M.
Is Largo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Largo’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Largo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Largo’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.