On FEMA’s figures, Winter Beach faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #632 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2016.
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 Winter Beach 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 Winter Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winter Beach, and Winter Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #632 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winter Beach’s residents live in 2 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, Winter Beach has more expected damage per building than 99% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Winter Beach: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winter Beach flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winter Beach, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $256K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $25K
Winter Beach 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winter Beach
Disasters that paid out in Winter Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to Winter Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne22 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances13 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
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 Winter Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winter Beach archive →Winter Beach and its neighbors
Winter Beach 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabasso | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 60 |
| 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 Winter Beach 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 Winter Beach
Is Winter Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Beach has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #632 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winter Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Winter Beach since 2016, $281K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (3).
Is Winter Beach 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 Winter Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winter Beach’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 Winter Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Winter Beach, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 22 households applied for aid, $65K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 3 paid, $256K.
Is Winter Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Winter Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winter Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winter Beach’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.