Photo: Roman Eugeniusz · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Seminole’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seminole gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #236 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 162 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 Seminole’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seminole 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 Seminole’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seminole, and Seminole’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #236 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seminole’s residents live in 14 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, Seminole has less expected damage per building than 63% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Seminole: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seminole flood? Yes: 162 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seminole, from FEMA’s records: 14.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene126 claims · $13.4M
- Hurricane Milton12 claims · $449K
- Hurricane Debby3 claims · $55K
Seminole isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seminole
Disasters that paid out in Seminole itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seminole), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton9,820 households applied for aid$7.9M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Seminole for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $449K
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,868 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved$151K to the City of Seminole for repairs126 flood claims paid for it, $13.4M
- 2024Hurricane Debby301 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$7K to the City of Seminole for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia315 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$55K to the City of Seminole for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,256 households applied for aid$252K aid approved$148K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma8,208 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$523K to the City of Seminole for repairs
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine23 households applied for aid$260 aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby56 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$10K to the City of Seminole for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne155 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$41K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances95 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$66K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$21K to the City of Seminole for repairs
Pinellas County has had 32 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pinellas County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Seminole after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seminole archive →Seminole and its neighbors
Seminole is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Pines | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Seminole | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Bardmoor | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| West Lealman | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 290 |
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 Seminole 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 Seminole
Is Seminole at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seminole has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #236 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seminole flood?
Flood insurance has paid 162 claims in Seminole since 1979, $14.0M in all, or 14.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (126).
Is Seminole 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 Pinellas County, 19.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Seminole?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seminole’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 Seminole?
By FEMA money that reached Seminole, Hurricane Milton (2024): 9,820 households applied for aid, $7.9M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Seminole for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 126 paid, $13.4M.
Is Seminole at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Seminole’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seminole.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seminole’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.