Launch Complex 39 · Photo: NASA · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in North Merritt Island than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Merritt Island gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #514 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 2008.
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 North Merritt Island’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Merritt Island 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
Wildfire
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 North Merritt Island’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Merritt Island, and North Merritt Island’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #514 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Merritt Island’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, North Merritt Island has more expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across North Merritt Island: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Merritt Island flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Merritt Island, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma6 claims · $322K
- Tropical Storm Fay5 claims · $147K
- Hurricane Ian3 claims · $149K
North Merritt Island isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brevard County.The storms North Merritt Island remembers
None of the 29 disasters declared for Brevard County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Merritt Island itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202528 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20177 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for Brevard County
- 20085 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Fay, declared for Brevard County
Brevard County has had 29 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brevard County, 1999–2008.
Old photos of North Merritt Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Merritt Island archive →North Merritt Island and its neighbors
North Merritt Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merritt Island | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 213 |
| Sharpes | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 5 |
| North Merritt Island | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 46 |
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 North Merritt Island 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 North Merritt Island
Is North Merritt Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Merritt Island has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #514 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Merritt Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in North Merritt Island since 2008, $3.9M in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (6).
Is North Merritt Island 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 Brevard County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Merritt Island?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Merritt Island’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 North Merritt Island?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 6 paid, $322K.
Is North Merritt Island at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and North Merritt Island’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Merritt Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Merritt Island’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.