Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Laurel than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #506 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (65%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 1982.
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 Laurel’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Laurel 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
Coastal 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 Laurel’s grade
Hurricanes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurel, and Laurel’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #506 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurel’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, Laurel has more expected damage per building than 79% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Laurel: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurel flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laurel, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene18 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Milton8 claims · $216K
- Hurricane Ian5 claims · $284K
Laurel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sarasota County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laurel
Disasters that paid out in Laurel itself (aid to households or repair grants to Laurel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5 households applied for aid$770 aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $216K
- 2022Hurricane Ian5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $284K
- 2017Hurricane Irma6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $63K
Sarasota County has had 34 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 Sarasota County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Laurel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurel archive →Laurel and its neighbors
Laurel is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Laurel 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.
- 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.
- 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 Laurel
Is Laurel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #506 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (65%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laurel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Laurel since 1982, $2.5M in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (18).
Is Laurel 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 Sarasota County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 18.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laurel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurel’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 Laurel?
By FEMA money that reached Laurel, Tropical Storm Debby (2012): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 18 paid, $2.0M.
Is Laurel at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Laurel’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurel’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.