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St Cloud FL City Hall02Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 2.5
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in St. Cloud · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, St. Cloud faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Cloud gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #366 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then strong wind (21%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1994.

River and rain flooding 57%Strong wind 21%Hurricanes 15%

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

more than 84%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#366 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
C−#366 of 638
in Florida · higher than 84% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
57% of expected building damage
Flood claims
34
paid since 1994 · $538K
Flooded more than once
6
properties
Flood insurance
25% off
Community discount (class 5)

What stands out about St. Cloud’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

25% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns St. Cloud residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5).Made safer with FEMA grants10 buildings retrofitted against wind with FEMA grants.Remembers 20039 flood claims were paid for 2003 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What St. Cloud 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

57%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Strong wind

21%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Hurricanes

15%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 4 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Wildfire Lightning Earthquakes Cold waves Hail Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingWinter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind St. Cloud’s grade

River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Cloud, and St. Cloud’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Where St. Cloud sits
St. Cloud
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #366 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).

St. Cloud’s residents live in 13 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding57%Strong wind21%Hurricanes15%Everything else7%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, St. Cloud has more expected damage per building than 57% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.6M a year in losses across St. Cloud: $14.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 6,364 aid registrations from St. Cloud addresses (the town has 22,807 homes) and flood insurance paid 7 claims for $104K.
A firm figure. It combines 13 census tracts by where St. Cloud’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does St. Cloud flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1994

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Cloud, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1994: 2 claims1995: 1 claim1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 9 claims2004: 3 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 1 claim2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 1 claim2016: 0 claims2017: 8 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 1 claim2021: 0 claims2022: 8 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200320172022
19942026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Ian8 claims · $288K
  • Hurricane Irma7 claims · $104K
  • Hurricane Frances2 claims · $4K
34
paid claims since 1994
$538K
paid to owners
6
homes flooded more than once
$16K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
Community discount25% off flood insurance

St. Cloud is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Osceola County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
10buildings retrofitted against wind
Disasters

12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Cloud

Disasters that paid out in St. Cloud itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Cloud), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Milton3,491 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$376K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs
  2. 2022Hurricane Nicole$18K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs
  3. 2022Hurricane Ian5,226 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$306K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $288K
  4. 2019Hurricane Dorian$179K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs
  5. 2017Hurricane Irma6,364 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$1.1M to the City of St. Cloud for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $104K
  6. 2016Hurricane Matthew$68K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs
Show all 12
  1. 2008Tropical Storm Fay$15K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
  2. 2005Hurricane Wilma$15K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs
  3. 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,431 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$498K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $261
  4. 2004Hurricane Ivan34 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
  5. 2004Hurricane Frances2,025 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$670K to the City of St. Cloud for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $4K
  6. 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley3,934 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$5.0M to the City of St. Cloud for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in St. CloudOsceola County only

Osceola County has had 24 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 Osceola County, 1999–2001.

Were you here?

Old photos of St. Cloud after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the St. Cloud archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what St. Cloud faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • St. Cloud residents get 25% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in St. Cloud

Is St. Cloud at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Cloud has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #366 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and strong wind (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does St. Cloud flood?

Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in St. Cloud since 1994, $538K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (8).

Is St. Cloud 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 Osceola County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.0% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in St. Cloud?

St. Cloud is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 St. Cloud?

By FEMA money that reached St. Cloud, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 3,934 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $5.0M to the City of St. Cloud for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 8 paid, $288K.

Is St. Cloud at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and St. Cloud’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Cloud.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Cloud’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.