FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Palm Valley than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palm Valley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #273 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 76 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 Palm Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palm Valley 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 Palm Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palm Valley, and Palm Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #273 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palm Valley’s residents live in 5 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 Valley has less expected damage per building than 57% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Palm Valley: $9.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palm Valley flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palm Valley, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew22 claims · $821K
- Tropical Storm Debby9 claims · $26K
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $111K
Palm Valley 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Palm Valley
Disasters that paid out in Palm Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to Palm Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma6 households applied for aid$500 aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $111K
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 Palm Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palm Valley archive →Palm Valley and its neighbors
Palm Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Beach | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 453 |
| Sawgrass | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| 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 Palm Valley 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 Palm Valley
Is Palm Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palm Valley has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #273 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palm Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Palm Valley since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (22).
Is Palm Valley 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 Palm Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palm Valley’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 Palm Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Palm Valley, Hurricane Irma (2017): 6 households applied for aid, $500 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 22 paid, $821K.
Is Palm Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Palm Valley’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palm Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palm Valley’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.