Photo: Jquesen2003 · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Stuart faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stuart gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Stuart faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Stuart’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stuart, and Stuart’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stuart’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $547K a year in losses across Stuart: $438K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stuart flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stuart, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stuart isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Patrick County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Stuart
Disasters that paid out in Stuart itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stuart), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne27 households applied for aid$64K aid approved
Patrick County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Patrick County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Stuart after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stuart archive →Get ready for what Stuart faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Stuart
Is Stuart at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stuart has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stuart flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Stuart since 1979, $724K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Stuart 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 Patrick County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stuart?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stuart’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 Stuart?
By FEMA money that reached Stuart, Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 27 households applied for aid, $64K approved.
Is Stuart at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Stuart’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stuart.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stuart’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.