More hazard damage per building is expected in North River Shores than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North River Shores gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #563 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 49 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 North River Shores’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North River Shores 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
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 River Shores’ grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in North River Shores, and North River Shores’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #563 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North River Shores’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, North River Shores has more expected damage per building than 88% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across North River Shores: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North River Shores flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North River Shores, from FEMA’s records: 24.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne11 claims · $88K
- Hurricane Frances7 claims · $90K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $5K
North River Shores isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Martin County.The storms North River Shores remembers
None of the 27 disasters declared for Martin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North River Shores itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200418 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Jeanne, declared for Martin County
- 20016 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19955 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Flooding, declared for Martin County
Martin County has had 27 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 Martin County, 1999–2009.
Old photos of North River Shores after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North River Shores archive →North River Shores and its neighbors
North River Shores is 2nd of the 3 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 North River Shores 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.
- 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 River Shores
Is North River Shores at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North River Shores has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #563 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (17%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North River Shores flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in North River Shores since 1979, $306K in all, or 24.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (11).
Is North River Shores 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 Martin County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North River Shores?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North River Shores’ 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 River Shores?
By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 11 paid, $88K.
Is North River Shores at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and North River Shores’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North River Shores.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North River Shores’ 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.