Captain Hammond House · Photo: K. Colando · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, White City faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #565 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2012.
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 White City 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 White City’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in White City, and White City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 18% (lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
D #565 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White City’s residents live in 4 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, White City has more expected damage per building than 89% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across White City: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White City flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White City, 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 Irma3 claims · $210K
- Hurricane Isaac1 claim · $73K
White City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Lucie County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to White City
Disasters that paid out in White City itself (aid to households or repair grants to White City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Frances1 households applied for aid$549 aid approved
St. Lucie County has had 26 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in St. Lucie County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of White City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White City archive →White City and its neighbors
White City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Pierce | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 807 |
| White City | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Indian River Estates | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | — |
| Port St. Lucie | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 194 |
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 White City 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 White City
Is White City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White City has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #565 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in White City since 2012, $296K 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 Irma (3).
Is White City 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 St. Lucie County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White City’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 White City?
By FEMA money that reached White City, Hurricane Frances (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $549 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 3 paid, $210K.
Is White City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and White City’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White City’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.