On FEMA’s figures, Wabasso faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wabasso gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1999.
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 Wabasso’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wabasso 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 Wabasso’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wabasso, and Wabasso’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wabasso’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Wabasso: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wabasso flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wabasso, from FEMA’s records: 73.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne27 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Frances15 claims · $677K
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $86K
Wabasso 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wabasso
Disasters that paid out in Wabasso itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wabasso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma31 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $86K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma7 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne238 households applied for aid$727K aid approved27 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances178 households applied for aid$349K aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $677K
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 Wabasso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wabasso archive →Wabasso and its neighbors
Wabasso has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabasso | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 60 |
| Sebastian | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 34 |
| Winter Beach | D−more damage than 98% | 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 Wabasso 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 Wabasso
Is Wabasso at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wabasso has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wabasso flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Wabasso since 1999, $2.2M in all, or 73.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (27).
Is Wabasso 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 Wabasso?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wabasso’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 Wabasso?
By FEMA money that reached Wabasso, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 238 households applied for aid, $727K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 27 paid, $1.3M.
Is Wabasso at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Wabasso’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wabasso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wabasso’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.