More hazard damage per building is expected in Port Richey than in 89% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Richey gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #428 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (48%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1,143 claims here since 1978.
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 Port Richey’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Richey faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Port Richey’s grade
Coastal flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Richey, and Port Richey’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 28%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #428 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Richey’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, Port Richey has more expected damage per building than 67% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Port Richey: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Richey flood? Yes: 1,143 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Richey, from FEMA’s records: 611.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene336 claims · $37.3M
- The Blizzard of 1993285 claims · $10.0M
- Hurricane Josephine132 claims · $1.9M
Port Richey is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pasco County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Richey
Disasters that paid out in Port Richey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Richey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4,683 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$68K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,264 households applied for aid$27.8M aid approved$706K to the City of Port Richey for repairs336 flood claims paid for it, $37.3M
- 2023Hurricane Idalia813 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$98K to the City of Port Richey for repairs110 flood claims paid for it, $9.1M
- 2022Hurricane Ian920 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$23K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma6,088 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Hermine174 households applied for aid$262K aid approved$65K to the City of Port Richey for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $727K
Show all 15
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby659 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$67K to the City of Port Richey for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$43K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne526 households applied for aid$497K aid approved$33K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan23 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances356 households applied for aid$367K aid approved$81K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley47 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$9K to the City of Port Richey for repairs
- 2000Snow$8K to the City of Port Richey for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Pasco County has had 33 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 Pasco County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Port Richey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Richey archive →Port Richey and its neighbors
Port Richey is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Port Richey East | C+more damage than 62% | hurricanes | 62 |
| New Port Richey | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 1,017 |
| Jasmine Estates | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 47 |
| Port Richey | Dmore damage than 89% | coastal flooding | 1,143 |
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 Port Richey faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Port Richey residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Port Richey
Is Port Richey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Richey has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #428 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (48%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Richey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,143 claims in Port Richey since 1978, $62.7M in all, or 611.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 196 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (336).
Is Port Richey 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 Pasco County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Richey?
Port Richey is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Port Richey?
By FEMA money that reached Port Richey, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,264 households applied for aid, $27.8M approved, and $706K to the City of Port Richey for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 336 paid, $37.3M.
Is Port Richey at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Port Richey’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Richey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Richey’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.