Photo: Connor Williams · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Satellite Beach than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Satellite Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #462 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 102 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 Satellite Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Satellite Beach 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 Satellite Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Satellite Beach, and Satellite Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #462 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Satellite Beach’s residents live in 4 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, Satellite Beach has more expected damage per building than 72% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Satellite Beach: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Satellite Beach flood? Yes: 102 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Satellite Beach, from FEMA’s records: 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Fay35 claims · $229K
- Hurricane Irma16 claims · $373K
- Hurricane Jeanne7 claims · $761K
Satellite Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brevard County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Satellite Beach
Disasters that paid out in Satellite Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Satellite Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton203 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$267K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole48 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$245K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $57K
- 2022Hurricane Ian205 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$216K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$6K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,633 households applied for aid$427K aid approved$197K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $373K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew155 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$206K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 14
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay81 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$72K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs35 flood claims paid for it, $229K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma19 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$79K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,438 households applied for aid$890K aid approved$169K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $761K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan24 households applied for aid$227 aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $140K
- 2004Hurricane Frances2,330 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$375K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $9K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley32 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$4K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$26K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$61K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs
Brevard County has had 29 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 Brevard County, 1999–2008.
Old photos of Satellite Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Satellite Beach archive →Satellite Beach and its neighbors
Satellite Beach has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite Beach | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 102 |
| Indian Harbour Beach | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 44 |
| South Patrick Shores | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 50 |
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 Satellite Beach 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 Satellite Beach
Is Satellite Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Satellite Beach has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #462 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Satellite Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 102 claims in Satellite Beach since 1979, $1.8M in all, or 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Fay (35).
Is Satellite Beach 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 Brevard County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Satellite Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Satellite Beach’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 Satellite Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Satellite Beach, Hurricane Frances (2004): 2,330 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $375K to the City of Satellite Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Fay: 35 paid, $229K.
Is Satellite Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Satellite Beach’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Satellite Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Satellite Beach’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.