Rufus P. Jordan House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Longboat Key than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Longboat Key gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #520 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then coastal flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 2,274 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 Longboat Key’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Longboat Key faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Longboat Key’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Longboat Key, and Longboat Key’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #520 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Longboat Key’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, Longboat Key has more expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Longboat Key: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Longboat Key flood? Yes: 2,274 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Longboat Key, from FEMA’s records: 228.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1,222 claims · $183M
- Hurricane Elena257 claims · $2.2M
- The The ’No-Name Storm’177 claims · $705K
Longboat Key is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sarasota County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Longboat Key
Disasters that paid out in Longboat Key itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Longboat Key), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton586 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$63K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene901 households applied for aid$7.0M aid approved$290K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs1,222 flood claims paid for it, $183M
- 2024Hurricane Debby34 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$40K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia78 households applied for aid$401K aid approved$130K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs92 flood claims paid for it, $8.5M
- 2022Hurricane Ian113 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$627K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma165 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$366K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 16
- 2016Hurricane Hermine$703K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby9 households applied for aid$6.1M to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$1.4M to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$1.3M to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne6 households applied for aid$853 aid approved$1.3M to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$3K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$56K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley4 households applied for aid$65K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$663K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Tropical Storm Irene - Florida$3K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 38 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Longboat Key after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Longboat Key archive →Longboat Key and its neighbors
Longboat Key has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longboat Key | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 2,274 |
| Bradenton Beach | — | 733 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 Longboat Key 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Longboat Key residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Longboat Key
Is Longboat Key at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Longboat Key has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #520 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and coastal flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Longboat Key flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,274 claims in Longboat Key since 1978, $208M in all, or 228.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 208 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1,222).
Is Longboat Key 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 Longboat Key?
Longboat Key is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Longboat Key?
By FEMA money that reached Longboat Key, Hurricane Helene (2024): 901 households applied for aid, $7.0M approved, and $290K to the Town of Longboat Key for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1,222 paid, $183M.
Is Longboat Key at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Longboat Key’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Longboat Key.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Longboat Key’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.