Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Madeira Beach than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madeira Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #393 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (57%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3,094 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 Madeira Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Madeira Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Madeira Beach’s grade
Coastal flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madeira Beach, and Madeira Beach’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 30%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #393 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madeira Beach’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, Madeira Beach has more expected damage per building than 62% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Madeira Beach: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madeira Beach flood? Yes: 3,094 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madeira Beach, from FEMA’s records: 773.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1,080 claims · $164M
- Hurricane Elena637 claims · $5.3M
- Hurricane Josephine360 claims · $5.1M
Madeira Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madeira Beach
Disasters that paid out in Madeira Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madeira Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton665 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$78K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,506 households applied for aid$14.2M aid approved$5.7M to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs1,080 flood claims paid for it, $164M
- 2024Hurricane Debby24 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia215 households applied for aid$620K aid approved$71K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs162 flood claims paid for it, $10.9M
- 2022Hurricane Ian69 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$165K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma775 households applied for aid$212K aid approved$212K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine2 households applied for aid$744 aid approved$4K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby31 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$5K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs44 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$2K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances14 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$7K to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$8K to the City of Madeira Beach 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 Madeira Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madeira Beach archive →Madeira Beach and its neighbors
Madeira Beach is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Pines | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Treasure Island | C−more damage than 75% | coastal flooding | 2,857 |
| Madeira Beach | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 3,094 |
| Redington Beach | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 1,611 |
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 Madeira Beach faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Madeira Beach 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 Madeira Beach
Is Madeira Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madeira Beach has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #393 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (57%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madeira Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,094 claims in Madeira Beach since 1979, $202M in all, or 773.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 342 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1,080).
Is Madeira Beach 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 Madeira Beach?
Madeira Beach 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 Madeira Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Madeira Beach, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,506 households applied for aid, $14.2M approved, and $5.7M to the City of Madeira Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1,080 paid, $164M.
Is Madeira Beach at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Madeira Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madeira Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madeira Beach’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.