Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Port St. Joe faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port St. Joe gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #630 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 487 claims here since 1985.
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 St. Joe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port St. Joe 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 St. Joe’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port St. Joe, and Port St. Joe’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #630 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port St. Joe’s residents live in 3 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 St. Joe has more expected damage per building than 99% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Port St. Joe: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port St. Joe flood? Yes: 487 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port St. Joe, from FEMA’s records: 222.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael356 claims · $45.2M
- Hurricane Opal70 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Kate33 claims · $531K
Port St. Joe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gulf County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port St. Joe
Disasters that paid out in Port St. Joe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port St. Joe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene36 households applied for aid$7K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $247K
- 2018Hurricane Michael3,286 households applied for aid$8.7M aid approved$2.8M to the City of Port St. Joe for repairs356 flood claims paid for it, $45.2M
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby1 households applied for aid$27K to the City of Port St. Joe for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis178 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$92K to the City of Port St. Joe for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $179K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan180 households applied for aid$320K aid approved$28K to the City of Port St. Joe for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances$2K to the City of Port St. Joe for repairs
Gulf County has had 35 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 Gulf County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Port St. Joe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port St. Joe archive →Get ready for what Port St. Joe 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 St. Joe
Is Port St. Joe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port St. Joe has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #630 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port St. Joe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 487 claims in Port St. Joe since 1985, $48.9M in all, or 222.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (356).
Is Port St. Joe 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 Gulf County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 19.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port St. Joe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port St. Joe’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 St. Joe?
By FEMA money that reached Port St. Joe, Hurricane Michael (2018): 3,286 households applied for aid, $8.7M approved, and $2.8M to the City of Port St. Joe for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 356 paid, $45.2M.
Is Port St. Joe at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Port St. Joe’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port St. Joe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port St. Joe’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.