Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in St. Marks
St. Marks isn’t graded for hazard risk: St. Marks has 243 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 167 claims here since 1985.
What St. Marks 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
Coastal flooding
Wildfire
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.
Does St. Marks flood? Yes: 167 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Marks, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Dennis31 claims · $919K
- Hurricane Opal29 claims · $162K
- Hurricane Kate26 claims · $222K
St. Marks is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wakulla County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Marks
Disasters that paid out in St. Marks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Marks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene15 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$33K to the City of St. Marks for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Michael67 households applied for aid$220K aid approved25 flood claims paid for it, $983K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis82 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$81K to the City of St. Marks for repairs31 flood claims paid for it, $919K
- 2000Tropical Storm Helene$25K to the City of St. Marks for repairs
Wakulla County has had 33 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wakulla County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of St. Marks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Marks archive →Get ready for what St. Marks 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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. Marks residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in St. Marks
Does St. Marks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 167 claims in St. Marks since 1985, $3.0M in all. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (31).
Is St. Marks 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 Wakulla County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Marks?
St. Marks is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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. Marks?
By FEMA money that reached St. Marks, Hurricane Dennis (2005): 82 households applied for aid, $250K approved, and $81K to the City of St. Marks for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 31 paid, $919K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Marks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Marks’ 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.