Photo: Yinzer1 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Venice than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Venice gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #462 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 716 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 Venice’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Venice 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’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Venice, and Venice’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #462 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Venice’s residents live in 11 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 has more expected damage per building than 72% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.3M a year in losses across Venice: $17.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Venice flood? Yes: 716 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Venice, from FEMA’s records: 34.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene292 claims · $45.6M
- Hurricane Milton155 claims · $11.4M
- Hurricane Ian39 claims · $2.3M
Venice is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sarasota County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Venice
Disasters that paid out in Venice itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Venice), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,821 households applied for aid$12.2M aid approved$3.0M to the City of Venice for repairs155 flood claims paid for it, $11.4M
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,652 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$987K to the City of Venice for repairs292 flood claims paid for it, $45.6M
- 2024Hurricane Debby478 households applied for aid$452K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia142 households applied for aid$175K aid approved$45K to the City of Venice for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian12,323 households applied for aid$23.2M aid approved$5.7M to the City of Venice for repairs39 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,944 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$639K to the City of Venice for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
Show all 14
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby36 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$9K to the City of Venice for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$11K to the City of Venice for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$131K to the City of Venice for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne66 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$21K to the City of Venice for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances28 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$49K to the City of Venice for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley81 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$82K to the City of Venice for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the City of Venice for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$158K to the City of Venice for repairs
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Venice archive →Venice and its neighbors
Venice has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 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.
- Venice residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Venice
Is Venice at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Venice has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #462 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Venice flood?
Flood insurance has paid 716 claims in Venice since 1978, $62.1M in all, or 34.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 113 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (292).
Is Venice 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?
Venice 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 Venice?
By FEMA money that reached Venice, Hurricane Ian (2022): 12,323 households applied for aid, $23.2M approved, and $5.7M to the City of Venice for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 292 paid, $45.6M.
Is Venice at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Venice’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Venice.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Venice’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.