FEMA puts Port Salerno’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Salerno gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #543 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1984.
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 Salerno’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Salerno 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 Port Salerno’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Salerno, and Port Salerno’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D #543 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Salerno’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 Salerno has more expected damage per building than 85% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.6M a year in losses across Port Salerno: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Salerno flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Salerno, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances15 claims · $489K
- Hurricane Jeanne15 claims · $422K
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $21K
Port Salerno 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Salerno
Disasters that paid out in Port Salerno itself (aid to households or repair grants to Port Salerno), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma18 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $21K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne35 households applied for aid$48K aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $422K
- 2004Hurricane Frances36 households applied for aid$20K aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $489K
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 Port Salerno after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Salerno archive →Get ready for what Port Salerno 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 Port Salerno
Is Port Salerno at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Salerno has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #543 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Salerno flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Port Salerno since 1984, $1.0M in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (15).
Is Port Salerno 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 Port Salerno?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Salerno’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 Port Salerno?
By FEMA money that reached Port Salerno, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 35 households applied for aid, $48K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 15 paid, $489K.
Is Port Salerno at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Port Salerno’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Salerno.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Salerno’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.