On FEMA’s figures, Venice Gardens faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Venice Gardens gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #451 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (74%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2003.
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 Venice Gardens 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 Venice Gardens’ grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Venice Gardens, and Venice Gardens’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D #451 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Venice Gardens’ 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, Venice Gardens has more expected damage per building than 71% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Venice Gardens: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Venice Gardens flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Venice Gardens, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian3 claims · $38K
Venice Gardens 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Venice Gardens
Disasters that paid out in Venice Gardens itself (aid to households or repair grants to Venice Gardens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
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 Venice Gardens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Venice Gardens archive →Venice Gardens and its neighbors
Venice Gardens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Venice Gardens 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 Venice Gardens
Is Venice Gardens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Venice Gardens has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #451 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Venice Gardens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Venice Gardens since 2003, $40K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (3).
Is Venice Gardens 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 Venice Gardens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Venice Gardens’ 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 Venice Gardens?
By FEMA money that reached Venice Gardens, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 3 paid, $38K.
Is Venice Gardens at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Venice Gardens’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Venice Gardens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Venice Gardens’ 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.