Photo: Robert Jones · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Sorrento’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sorrento gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (76%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 145 claims here since 1979.
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 Sorrento’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sorrento 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
Coastal 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 Sorrento’s grade
Hurricanes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sorrento, and Sorrento’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sorrento’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Sorrento: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sorrento flood? Yes: 145 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sorrento, from FEMA’s records: 185.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms118 claims · $9.5M
- Hurricane Isaac6 claims · $127K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $90K
Sorrento is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sorrento
Disasters that paid out in Sorrento itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sorrento), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine135 households applied for aid$224K aid approved$15K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida821 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$260K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2019Hurricane Barry$11K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding529 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$413K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$4K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac176 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$7K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $127K
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav300 households applied for aid$282K aid approved$76K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita68 households applied for aid$58K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $833
- 2005Hurricane Katrina266 households applied for aid$236K aid approved$31K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$3K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 45 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Sorrento after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sorrento archive →Get ready for what Sorrento 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Sorrento residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sorrento
Is Sorrento at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sorrento has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (76%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sorrento flood?
Flood insurance has paid 145 claims in Sorrento since 1979, $9.9M in all, or 185.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (118).
Is Sorrento 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 the county, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 28.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sorrento?
Sorrento is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Sorrento?
By FEMA money that reached Sorrento, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 529 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $413K to the Town of Sorrento for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 118 paid, $9.5M.
Is Sorrento at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Sorrento’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sorrento.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sorrento’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.