Photo: Astrophobe · CC BY-SA 4.0South Pasadena’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Pasadena gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #79 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then coastal flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 378 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 South Pasadena’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Pasadena faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 South Pasadena’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Pasadena, and South Pasadena’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #79 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Pasadena’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, South Pasadena has less expected damage per building than 88% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across South Pasadena: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Pasadena flood? Yes: 378 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Pasadena, from FEMA’s records: 75.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene321 claims · $68.0M
- Hurricane Elena15 claims · $97K
- The The ’No-Name Storm’6 claims · $8K
South Pasadena is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Pasadena
Disasters that paid out in South Pasadena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Pasadena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton793 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$84K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,177 households applied for aid$8.6M aid approved$299K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs321 flood claims paid for it, $68.0M
- 2024Hurricane Debby13 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $305K
- 2022Hurricane Ian44 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$61K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma355 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$79K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine2 households applied for aid$200 aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne14 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$8K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$11K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$4K to the City of South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Pasadena archive →South Pasadena and its neighbors
South Pasadena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek | C+more damage than 56% | hurricanes | — |
| South Pasadena | C+more damage than 59% | hurricanes | 378 |
| St. Petersburg | C+more damage than 61% | hurricanes | 13,766 |
| St. Pete Beach | C−more damage than 76% | coastal flooding | 3,119 |
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 South Pasadena 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- South Pasadena residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Pasadena
Is South Pasadena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Pasadena has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #79 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and coastal flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Pasadena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 378 claims in South Pasadena since 1979, $69.2M in all, or 75.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (321).
Is South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena?
South Pasadena is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in South Pasadena?
By FEMA money that reached South Pasadena, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,177 households applied for aid, $8.6M approved, and $299K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 321 paid, $68.0M.
Is South Pasadena at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and South Pasadena’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Pasadena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Pasadena’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.