FEMA puts Pea Ridge’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pea Ridge gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #520 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Pea Ridge 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 Pea Ridge’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pea Ridge, and Pea Ridge’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
D #520 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pea Ridge’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, Pea Ridge has more expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Pea Ridge: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pea Ridge flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pea Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally6 claims · $188K
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $136K
- Tropical Storm Alberto1 claim · $925
Pea Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Santa Rosa County.The storms Pea Ridge remembers
None of the 34 disasters declared for Santa Rosa County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Pea Ridge itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20206 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Sally, declared for Santa Rosa County
- 20175 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nate, declared for Santa Rosa County
- 20144 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County has had 34 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Rosa County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Pea Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pea Ridge archive →Pea Ridge and its neighbors
Pea Ridge is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 42 |
| Pea Ridge | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 20 |
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 Pea Ridge 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 Pea Ridge
Is Pea Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pea Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #520 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pea Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Pea Ridge since 1979, $554K in all, or 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (6).
Is Pea Ridge 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 Santa Rosa County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pea Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pea Ridge’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 Pea Ridge?
By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 6 paid, $188K.
Is Pea Ridge at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Pea Ridge’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pea Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pea Ridge’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.