Photo: Juan Ortega · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Tequesta than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tequesta gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #208 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1978.
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 Tequesta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tequesta 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 Tequesta’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tequesta, and Tequesta’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #208 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tequesta’s residents live in 3 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, Tequesta has less expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Tequesta: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tequesta flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tequesta, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne2 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $14K
Tequesta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tequesta
Disasters that paid out in Tequesta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Tequesta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$67K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$24K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian10 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$16K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$75K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma303 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$200K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$20K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Wilma254 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$288K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne594 households applied for aid$274K aid approved$133K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2004Hurricane Frances687 households applied for aid$340K aid approved$435K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$69K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs
Palm Beach County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Palm Beach County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Tequesta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tequesta archive →Tequesta and its neighbors
Tequesta is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jupiter | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 227 |
| Tequesta | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 32 |
| Jupiter Inlet Colony | — | 511 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Tequesta 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.
- Tequesta residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tequesta
Is Tequesta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tequesta has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #208 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tequesta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Tequesta since 1978, $298K in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (2).
Is Tequesta 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 Palm Beach County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tequesta?
Tequesta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Tequesta?
By FEMA money that reached Tequesta, Hurricane Frances (2004): 687 households applied for aid, $340K approved, and $435K to the Village of Tequesta for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Tequesta at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Tequesta’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tequesta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tequesta’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.