Photo: Boykinspanieling · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Treasure Island faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Treasure Island gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #258 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (45%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 2,857 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 Treasure Island’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Treasure Island faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Treasure Island’s grade
Coastal flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Treasure Island, and Treasure Island’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 37%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #258 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Treasure Island’s residents live in 2 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, Treasure Island has less expected damage per building than 60% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Treasure Island: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Treasure Island flood? Yes: 2,857 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Treasure Island, from FEMA’s records: 461.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1,604 claims · $273M
- Hurricane Elena416 claims · $3.1M
- Hurricane Josephine210 claims · $2.7M
Treasure Island is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Treasure Island
Disasters that paid out in Treasure Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Treasure Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,274 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$60K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,412 households applied for aid$19.3M aid approved$363K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs1,604 flood claims paid for it, $273M
- 2024Hurricane Debby19 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia124 households applied for aid$213K aid approved$90K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs102 flood claims paid for it, $6.5M
- 2022Hurricane Ian56 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$32K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma994 households applied for aid$280K aid approved$165K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine$39K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby32 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$22K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne25 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$9K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances14 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$13K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$17K to the City of Treasure Island 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 Treasure Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Treasure Island archive →Treasure Island and its neighbors
Treasure Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | C+more damage than 61% | hurricanes | 13,766 |
| Treasure Island | C−more damage than 75% | coastal flooding | 2,857 |
| St. Pete Beach | C−more damage than 76% | coastal flooding | 3,119 |
| Madeira Beach | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 3,094 |
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 Treasure Island faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Treasure Island 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 Treasure Island
Is Treasure Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Treasure Island has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #258 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (45%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Treasure Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,857 claims in Treasure Island since 1978, $293M in all, or 461.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 234 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1,604).
Is Treasure Island 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 Treasure Island?
Treasure Island 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 Treasure Island?
By FEMA money that reached Treasure Island, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,412 households applied for aid, $19.3M approved, and $363K to the City of Treasure Island for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1,604 paid, $273M.
Is Treasure Island at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Treasure Island’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Treasure Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Treasure Island’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.