On FEMA’s figures, Nocatee faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nocatee gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #274 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2017.
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 Nocatee 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
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 Nocatee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nocatee, and Nocatee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #274 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nocatee’s residents live in 2 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, Nocatee has less expected damage per building than 57% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across Nocatee: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nocatee flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nocatee, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $41K
Nocatee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Johns County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nocatee
Disasters that paid out in Nocatee itself (aid to households or repair grants to Nocatee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian26 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma21 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $41K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne57 households applied for aid$306K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances41 households applied for aid$161K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley304 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
St. Johns County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Nocatee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nocatee archive →Nocatee and its neighbors
Nocatee is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3,865 |
| Palm Valley | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Nocatee | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Nocatee 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.
- 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 Nocatee
Is Nocatee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nocatee has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #274 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nocatee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Nocatee since 2017, $121K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (1).
Is Nocatee 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 St. Johns County, 23.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Nocatee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nocatee’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 Nocatee?
By FEMA money that reached Nocatee, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 304 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 1 paid, $41K.
Is Nocatee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Nocatee’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nocatee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nocatee’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.