McKee Jungle Gardens · Photo: Robert Lawton · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Vero Beach South than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vero Beach South gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #634 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 413 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 Vero Beach South’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vero Beach South 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 Vero Beach South’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vero Beach South, and Vero Beach South’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #634 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vero Beach South’s residents live in 9 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, Vero Beach South has more expected damage per building than 99% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $25.4M a year in losses across Vero Beach South: $23.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vero Beach South flood? Yes: 413 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vero Beach South, from FEMA’s records: 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances196 claims · $7.1M
- Hurricane Jeanne66 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Irma26 claims · $1.0M
Vero Beach South isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Indian River County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Vero Beach South
Disasters that paid out in Vero Beach South itself (aid to households or repair grants to Vero Beach South), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved26 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
Indian River County has had 23 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Indian River County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Vero Beach South after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vero Beach South archive →Vero Beach South and its neighbors
Vero Beach South is 4th of the 5 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 Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Vero Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 704 |
| West Vero Corridor | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | — |
| Vero Beach South | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 413 |
| Florida Ridge | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 57 |
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 Vero Beach South 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 Vero Beach South
Is Vero Beach South at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vero Beach South has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #634 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vero Beach South flood?
Flood insurance has paid 413 claims in Vero Beach South since 1978, $12.2M in all, or 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (196).
Is Vero Beach South 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 Indian River County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vero Beach South?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vero Beach South’s 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 Vero Beach South?
By FEMA money that reached Vero Beach South, Hurricane Irma (2017): 1 households applied for aid, $500 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 196 paid, $7.1M.
Is Vero Beach South at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Vero Beach South’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vero Beach South.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vero Beach South’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.