More hazard damage per building is expected in South Venice than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Venice gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #424 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 223 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 Venice’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Venice 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 South Venice’s grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Venice, and South Venice’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #424 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Venice’s residents live in 6 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 Venice has more expected damage per building than 66% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across South Venice: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Venice flood? Yes: 223 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Venice, from FEMA’s records: 25.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian114 claims · $7.3M
- Hurricane Milton50 claims · $2.9M
- Hurricane Helene30 claims · $1.6M
South Venice isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sarasota County.The storms South Venice remembers
None of the 34 disasters declared for Sarasota County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Venice itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 2022114 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nicole, declared for Sarasota County
- 202481 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Sarasota County
- 19928 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Sarasota County
Sarasota County has had 34 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 Sarasota County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of South Venice after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Venice archive →South Venice and its neighbors
South Venice is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Englewood | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 2,435 |
| South Venice | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 223 |
| Venice Gardens | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 4 |
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 Venice 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 South Venice
Is South Venice at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Venice has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #424 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Venice flood?
Flood insurance has paid 223 claims in South Venice since 1979, $11.9M in all, or 25.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (114).
Is South Venice 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 Sarasota County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 18.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Venice?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Venice’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 South Venice?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 114 paid, $7.3M.
Is South Venice at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and South Venice’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Venice.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Venice’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.