Arthur Milam House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sawgrass than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sawgrass gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #131 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2008.
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 Sawgrass faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Sawgrass’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sawgrass, and Sawgrass’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #131 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sawgrass’ 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, Sawgrass has less expected damage per building than 80% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Sawgrass: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sawgrass flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sawgrass, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma6 claims · $1.2M
- Tropical Storm Fay1 claim · $16K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $148K
Sawgrass isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Johns County.The storms Sawgrass remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for St. Johns County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Sawgrass itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20177 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for St. Johns County
- 20092 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Fay, declared for St. Johns County
St. Johns County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Sawgrass after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sawgrass archive →Sawgrass and its neighbors
Sawgrass has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawgrass | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Palm Valley | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
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 Sawgrass faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Sawgrass
Is Sawgrass at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sawgrass has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #131 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sawgrass flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Sawgrass since 2008, $1.4M in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (6).
Is Sawgrass 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 St. Johns County, 23.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sawgrass?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sawgrass’ 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 Sawgrass?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 6 paid, $1.2M.
Is Sawgrass at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Sawgrass’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sawgrass.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sawgrass’ 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.