Photo: Andyrkellergmail · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Palm Coast than in 82% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palm Coast gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #352 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 2001.
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 Palm Coast’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palm Coast 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 Palm Coast’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palm Coast, and Palm Coast’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 47% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #352 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palm Coast’s residents live in 20 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, Palm Coast has more expected damage per building than 55% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Palm Coast has higher expected damage per building than 75% (#301 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $29.7M, is the 357th largest of those 400.
Does Palm Coast flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palm Coast, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma11 claims · $243K
- Hurricane Milton5 claims · $536K
- Hurricane Matthew5 claims · $134K
Palm Coast is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Flagler County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palm Coast
Disasters that paid out in Palm Coast itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palm Coast), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4,075 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$325K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $536K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole182 households applied for aid$145K aid approved$270K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian3,281 households applied for aid$939K aid approved$1.3M to the City of Palm Coast for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $24K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$200K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma6,553 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$4.4M to the City of Palm Coast for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $243K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew3,701 households applied for aid$725K aid approved$2.9M to the City of Palm Coast for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $134K
Show all 13
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$692K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$364K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne589 households applied for aid$261K aid approved$86K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan41 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2004Hurricane Frances2,198 households applied for aid$979K aid approved$599K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley344 households applied for aid$140K aid approved$177K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$191K to the City of Palm Coast for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Flagler County has had 24 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Flagler County, 2000–2007.
Old photos of Palm Coast after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palm Coast archive →Palm Coast and its neighbors
Palm Coast is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunnell | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 11 |
| Palm Coast | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 49 |
| Flagler Beach | C−more damage than 84% | hurricanes | 986 |
| Espanola | — | 0 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 Palm Coast 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.
- Palm Coast residents get 30% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Palm Coast
Is Palm Coast at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palm Coast has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #352 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palm Coast flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Palm Coast since 2001, $1.1M in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (11).
Is Palm Coast 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 Flagler County, 15.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Palm Coast?
Palm Coast is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4), which takes 30% 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 Palm Coast?
By FEMA money that reached Palm Coast, Hurricane Irma (2017): 6,553 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $4.4M to the City of Palm Coast for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 11 paid, $243K.
Is Palm Coast at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Palm Coast’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palm Coast.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palm Coast’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.