Which Florida beach town has the highest flood risk?

Of the 50 beach towns we ranked, Anna Maria has the highest Combined Flood Score at 9.9 out of 10, followed by Marathon (9.7) and Sanibel (9.3). The score weighs tide flooding and FEMA's high risk flood zone equally.

Which Florida beach town has the lowest flood risk?

Stuart has the lowest Combined Flood Score of the 50 towns we ranked, at 1.5, followed by Fort Walton Beach (1.9) and Melbourne (2.1). A low score does not cover rain flooding.

What is FEMA's high risk flood zone?

It is FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area: land with at least a 1% chance of flooding in any year. Mortgage lenders require flood insurance for homes in it. Zones A and AE are mostly rain and river flooding, and Zone VE is coastal storm surge with waves.

Do flood maps show rain flooding?

No. NOAA's tide map and FEMA's flood map do not count heavy rain flooding, like Palm Bay's November 2026 storm. Ask neighbors about recent storms and check drainage before you buy.

Florida Beach Towns Ranked by Flood Risk

Every coastal town in Florida lives with water. The question is how often it comes into the streets, and from where. We ranked 50 Florida beach towns on two kinds of flood risk: how much land the ocean reaches when the tide runs high, and how much sits in FEMA's official high risk flood zone. Then we combined them into one score from 1 to 10.

Use it as one piece of the puzzle, not the whole answer. A town near the top can still be a great fit on higher ground, in a newer elevated home or in a condo above the ground floor. A town near the bottom still floods in spots, as Palm Bay found out this November.

Find your town

Combined scoreTide floodingFEMA zone

Combined Flood ScoreTide flooding and the FEMA map weighted equally. 10 is the highest risk of these 50 towns. Tap a town for every number and its flood history.

1Anna Maria9.9

Combined score: 9.9 of 10 rank 1 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.7% / 5.5% / 47% tide rank 2
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 99.9% FEMA rank 1
Median elevation: 3 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 2024; Milton, Oct 2024

2Marathon9.7

Combined score: 9.7 of 10 rank 2 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 25% / 37% / 58% tide rank 1
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 99.8% FEMA rank 3
Median elevation: 2.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Irma, Sep 2017; Wilma surge, Oct 2005

3Sanibel9.3

Combined score: 9.3 of 10 rank 3 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 20% / 35% / 46% tide rank 4
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 99.6% FEMA rank 6
Median elevation: 2.4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian surge, Sep 2022 (Sanibel Causeway cut); Helene and Milton, 2024

See Sanibel on Florida Coastal

4Fort Myers Beach9.0

Combined score: 9.0 of 10 rank 4 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 12% / 21% / 36% tide rank 9
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 99.8% FEMA rank 4
Median elevation: 4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian surge, Sep 28 2022 (town largely destroyed); Milton, Oct 2024

See Fort Myers Beach on Florida Coastal

5Islamorada8.6

Combined score: 8.6 of 10 rank 5 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 26% / 32% / 46% tide rank 3
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 91% FEMA rank 14
Median elevation: 4.2 ft

Notable floods: 1935 Labor Day Hurricane (Cat 5, Upper Keys); Hurricane Irma, Sep 2017

See Islamorada on Florida Coastal

6Bradenton Beach8.6

Combined score: 8.6 of 10 rank 6 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 5.9% / 13% / 34% tide rank 10
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 98% FEMA rank 7
Median elevation: 3.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 2024; Milton, Oct 2024

See Bradenton Beach on Florida Coastal

7Miami Beach8.5

Combined score: 8.5 of 10 rank 7 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.2% / 5.8% / 40% tide rank 7
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 95% FEMA rank 11
Median elevation: 3.5 ft

Notable floods: Recurring king-tide (sunny-day) flooding each fall; Hurricane Irma surge, Sep 2017

8Marco Island8.5

Combined score: 8.5 of 10 rank 8 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 24% / 38% / 40% tide rank 8
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 96% FEMA rank 10
Median elevation: 4.1 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian, Sep 2022; Irma landfall, Sep 2017

See Marco Island on Florida Coastal

9Key West8.3

Combined score: 8.3 of 10 rank 9 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 4.0% / 18% / 43% tide rank 5
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 88% FEMA rank 15
Median elevation: 3.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Wilma surge, Oct 2005; Irma, Sep 2017; Ian surge, Sep 2022

See Key West on Florida Coastal

10Treasure Island8.3

Combined score: 8.3 of 10 rank 10 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 2.2% / 4.6% / 19% tide rank 19
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 99.9% FEMA rank 2
Median elevation: 4.4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 26 2024; Idalia, Aug 2023

See Treasure Island on Florida Coastal

11Cedar Key8.2

Combined score: 8.2 of 10 rank 11 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 22% / 30% / 42% tide rank 6
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 87% FEMA rank 16
Median elevation: 5.2 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Idalia record surge, Aug 30 2023; Helene, Sep 2024; Hermine, 2016

See Cedar Key on Florida Coastal

12St. Pete Beach8.2

Combined score: 8.2 of 10 rank 12 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.0% / 3.4% / 20% tide rank 18
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 99.8% FEMA rank 5
Median elevation: 4.4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 26 2024; Idalia, Aug 2023

See St. Pete Beach on Florida Coastal

13Navarre Beach7.9

Combined score: 7.9 of 10 rank 13 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.9% / 10% / 23% tide rank 16
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 97% FEMA rank 9
Median elevation: 12.6 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ivan, Sep 2004; Dennis landfall on Santa Rosa Island, Jul 2005

See Navarre Beach on Florida Coastal

14Siesta Key7.6

Combined score: 7.6 of 10 rank 14 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.4% / 3.5% / 16% tide rank 20
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 98% FEMA rank 8
Median elevation: 4.2 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 2024; Milton landfall nearby, Oct 9 2024

See Siesta Key on Florida Coastal

15Longboat Key7.5

Combined score: 7.5 of 10 rank 15 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 9.0% / 14% / 23% tide rank 17
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 95% FEMA rank 12
Median elevation: 4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 2024; Milton, Oct 2024

See Longboat Key on Florida Coastal

16St. Augustine7.1

Combined score: 7.1 of 10 rank 16 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 9.3% / 15% / 26% tide rank 13
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 60% FEMA rank 21
Median elevation: 6.2 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Matthew, Oct 2016; Irma, Sep 2017 (back-to-back downtown flooding)

17Pensacola Beach7.1

Combined score: 7.1 of 10 rank 17 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.2% / 4.4% / 15% tide rank 21
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 93% FEMA rank 13
Median elevation: 14.1 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ivan, Sep 2004; Opal, Oct 1995; Dennis, Jul 2005; Sally, Sep 2020

See Pensacola Beach on Florida Coastal

18Flagler Beach6.4

Combined score: 6.4 of 10 rank 18 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 10% / 20% / 30% tide rank 12
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 45% FEMA rank 29
Median elevation: 5.9 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Irma, 2017; Nicole, Nov 2022 (A1A and dune damage); Matthew, 2016

See Flagler Beach on Florida Coastal

19Palm Beach6.4

Combined score: 6.4 of 10 rank 19 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.3% / 5.5% / 13% tide rank 22
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 63% FEMA rank 19
Median elevation: 5.7 ft

Notable floods: Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, Sep 2004

See Palm Beach on Florida Coastal

20Naples6.3

Combined score: 6.3 of 10 rank 20 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 5.7% / 7.3% / 11% tide rank 25
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 77% FEMA rank 17
Median elevation: 6.4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian surge, Sep 2022 (record at the Naples tide gauge); Irma, 2017

See Naples on Florida Coastal

21Cocoa Beach6.2

Combined score: 6.2 of 10 rank 21 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 18% / 25% / 32% tide rank 11
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 44% FEMA rank 32
Median elevation: 4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Irma, 2017; Frances and Jeanne, 2004

See Cocoa Beach on Florida Coastal

22Jacksonville Beach5.8

Combined score: 5.8 of 10 rank 22 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 15% / 21% / 25% tide rank 14
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 39% FEMA rank 34
Median elevation: 13.1 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Matthew, Oct 2016; Irma, Sep 2017

23Apalachicola5.8

Combined score: 5.8 of 10 rank 23 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 6.7% / 20% / 23% tide rank 15
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 44% FEMA rank 33
Median elevation: 12.9 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Michael, Oct 2018; Idalia surge, Aug 2023

See Apalachicola on Florida Coastal

24Hallandale Beach5.8

Combined score: 5.8 of 10 rank 24 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.4% / 7.7% tide rank 30
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 71% FEMA rank 18
Median elevation: 5.2 ft

Notable floods: June 2024 South Florida flooding; Apr 2023 rain flood

See Hallandale Beach on Florida Coastal

25New Smyrna Beach5.5

Combined score: 5.5 of 10 rank 25 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 5.7% / 8.8% / 11% tide rank 26
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 50% FEMA rank 25
Median elevation: 21.9 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian rain flood, Sep 2022; Nicole, Nov 2022

26Hollywood5.5

Combined score: 5.5 of 10 rank 26 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 3.0% / 5.9% / 11% tide rank 27
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 51% FEMA rank 24
Median elevation: 6.7 ft

Notable floods: Apr 2023 South Florida rain flood; June 2024 South Florida flooding

See Hollywood on Florida Coastal

27Fort Lauderdale5.4

Combined score: 5.4 of 10 rank 27 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.3% / 1.5% / 5.0% tide rank 32
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 60% FEMA rank 20
Median elevation: 5.9 ft

Notable floods: Apr 12-13 2023 record rain (~26 in in about a day at FLL airport)

28Cape Coral5.2

Combined score: 5.2 of 10 rank 28 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 10% / 12% / 13% tide rank 23
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 45% FEMA rank 31
Median elevation: 8.2 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian surge and wind, Sep 2022

See Cape Coral on Florida Coastal

29Santa Rosa Beach (30A)5.2

Combined score: 5.2 of 10 rank 29 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.5% / 4.2% / 7.4% tide rank 31
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 54% FEMA rank 23
Median elevation: 24.1 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Opal, Oct 1995; Dennis, Jul 2005

See Santa Rosa Beach (30A) on Florida Coastal

30Ormond Beach4.8

Combined score: 4.8 of 10 rank 30 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 4.7% / 9.4% / 12% tide rank 24
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 33% FEMA rank 35
Median elevation: 21.7 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Matthew, Oct 2016; Ian rain flood, Sep 2022; Nicole, Nov 2022

See Ormond Beach on Florida Coastal

31Mexico Beach4.4

Combined score: 4.4 of 10 rank 31 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.5% / 1.0% tide rank 41
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 55% FEMA rank 22
Median elevation: 19.7 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Michael Cat 5 landfall, Oct 10 2018 (town largely destroyed)

See Mexico Beach on Florida Coastal

32Fernandina Beach4.2

Combined score: 4.2 of 10 rank 32 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 3.4% / 5.4% / 8.9% tide rank 28
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 27% FEMA rank 37
Median elevation: 23.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Matthew, Oct 2016; Irma, Sep 2017

See Fernandina Beach on Florida Coastal

33Sarasota3.7

Combined score: 3.7 of 10 rank 33 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.9% / 1.5% / 4.1% tide rank 33
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 26% FEMA rank 38
Median elevation: 19 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge, Sep 2024; Milton, Oct 2024

See Sarasota on Florida Coastal

34Vero Beach3.6

Combined score: 3.6 of 10 rank 34 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 3.0% / 6.3% / 8.1% tide rank 29
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 18% FEMA rank 43
Median elevation: 15.8 ft

Notable floods: Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, Sep 2004; Nicole, Nov 2022

See Vero Beach on Florida Coastal

35Pompano Beach3.6

Combined score: 3.6 of 10 rank 35 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.0% / 0.1% / 1.0% tide rank 42
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 45% FEMA rank 30
Median elevation: 10.3 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Irma, 2017; Wilma, 2005

36Daytona Beach3.5

Combined score: 3.5 of 10 rank 36 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.2% / 0.5% tide rank 46
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 50% FEMA rank 26
Median elevation: 26.6 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Ian rain flood, Sep 2022; Nicole surge, Nov 2022; Milton, Oct 2024

See Daytona Beach on Florida Coastal

37Panama City Beach3.3

Combined score: 3.3 of 10 rank 37 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.2% / 0.3% tide rank 48
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 50% FEMA rank 27
Median elevation: 31.4 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Opal, Oct 1995; Michael, Oct 2018

38Clearwater3.1

Combined score: 3.1 of 10 rank 38 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.1% / 1.8% / 2.9% tide rank 35
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 19% FEMA rank 42
Median elevation: 46.9 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Helene surge on Clearwater Beach, Sep 2024; 1993 Storm of the Century

See Clearwater on Florida Coastal

39Venice3.1

Combined score: 3.1 of 10 rank 39 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.5% / 0.9% / 1.6% tide rank 37
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 24% FEMA rank 40
Median elevation: 12.7 ft

Notable floods: Hurricanes Helene and Milton, 2024

See Venice on Florida Coastal

40West Palm Beach3.1

Combined score: 3.1 of 10 rank 40 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.0% / 0.0% / 0.3% tide rank 49
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 47% FEMA rank 28
Median elevation: 16.2 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Frances, Sep 2004; Irene, 1999

See West Palm Beach on Florida Coastal

41Satellite Beach2.7

Combined score: 2.7 of 10 rank 41 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 1.5% / 2.8% / 3.7% tide rank 34
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 10% FEMA rank 48
Median elevation: 6.3 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Matthew, Oct 2016; Nicole beach and dune erosion, Nov 2022

See Satellite Beach on Florida Coastal

42Fort Pierce2.7

Combined score: 2.7 of 10 rank 42 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.4% / 0.8% / 1.6% tide rank 36
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 16% FEMA rank 45
Median elevation: 16.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, Sep 2004; Nicole, Nov 2022

See Fort Pierce on Florida Coastal

43Boca Raton2.6

Combined score: 2.6 of 10 rank 43 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.3% / 0.6% / 0.8% tide rank 44
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 26% FEMA rank 39
Median elevation: 12.3 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Irma, 2017

See Boca Raton on Florida Coastal

44Destin2.5

Combined score: 2.5 of 10 rank 44 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.2% / 0.5% / 1.1% tide rank 40
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 16% FEMA rank 44
Median elevation: 30.3 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Opal, Oct 1995; Ivan, Sep 2004

See Destin on Florida Coastal

45Delray Beach2.4

Combined score: 2.4 of 10 rank 45 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.4% / 1.5% tide rank 39
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 13% FEMA rank 46
Median elevation: 15.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Irene, 1999; Irma, 2017

See Delray Beach on Florida Coastal

46Palm Bay2.3

Combined score: 2.3 of 10 rank 46 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.0% / 0.1% / 0.2% tide rank 50
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 29% FEMA rank 36
Median elevation: 22.5 ft

Notable floods: Nov 2 2026 extreme rain (up to 22.8 in near Grant-Valkaria; Turkey Creek crest 19.96 ft); Tropical Storm Fay, Aug 2008

See Palm Bay on Florida Coastal

47Jupiter2.2

Combined score: 2.2 of 10 rank 47 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.4% / 0.8% / 1.6% tide rank 38
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 8.8% FEMA rank 49
Median elevation: 13.1 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Frances, 2004

See Jupiter on Florida Coastal

48Melbourne2.1

Combined score: 2.1 of 10 rank 48 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.3% / 0.4% tide rank 47
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 21% FEMA rank 41
Median elevation: 20.9 ft

Notable floods: Nov 2 2026 extreme rain (about 11 in, a daily record); Tropical Storm Fay, Aug 2008

See Melbourne on Florida Coastal

49Fort Walton Beach1.9

Combined score: 1.9 of 10 rank 49 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.4% / 0.9% tide rank 43
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 12% FEMA rank 47
Median elevation: 35.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricane Opal, Oct 1995; Ivan, Sep 2004

See Fort Walton Beach on Florida Coastal

50Stuart1.5

Combined score: 1.5 of 10 rank 50 of 50
Land under water at +1 / +2 / +3 ft: 0.1% / 0.4% / 0.7% tide rank 45
Land in FEMA high risk zone: 4.3% FEMA rank 50
Median elevation: 11.5 ft

Notable floods: Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, Sep 2004

See Stuart on Florida Coastal

Tide flooding: the ocean coming inShare of town land under water when the tide runs 1, 2 or 3 feet above a normal high tide. This is what floods on sunny King Tide days and in storm surge. Ranked by +3 ft.

+1 ft+2 ft+3 ft

1Marathon58%

2Anna Maria47%

3Islamorada46%

4Sanibel46%

5Key West43%

6Cedar Key42%

7Miami Beach40%

8Marco Island40%

9Fort Myers Beach36%

10Bradenton Beach34%

11Cocoa Beach32%

12Flagler Beach30%

13St. Augustine26%

14Jacksonville Beach25%

15Apalachicola23%

16Navarre Beach23%

17Longboat Key23%

18St. Pete Beach20%

19Treasure Island19%

20Siesta Key16%

21Pensacola Beach15%

22Palm Beach13%

23Cape Coral13%

24Ormond Beach12%

25Naples11%

26New Smyrna Beach11%

27Hollywood11%

28Fernandina Beach8.9%

29Vero Beach8.1%

30Hallandale Beach7.7%

31Santa Rosa Beach (30A)7.4%

32Fort Lauderdale5.0%

33Sarasota4.1%

34Satellite Beach3.7%

35Clearwater2.9%

36Fort Pierce1.6%

37Venice1.6%

38Jupiter1.6%

39Delray Beach1.5%

40Destin1.1%

41Mexico Beach1.0%

42Pompano Beach1.0%

43Fort Walton Beach0.9%

44Boca Raton0.8%

45Stuart0.7%

46Daytona Beach0.5%

47Melbourne0.4%

48Panama City Beach0.3%

49West Palm Beach0.3%

50Palm Bay0.2%

FEMA high risk flood zone: the official mapShare of town land in FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area, at least a 1% chance of flooding in any year. Lenders require flood insurance here.

1Anna Maria99.9%

2Treasure Island99.9%

3Marathon99.8%

4Fort Myers Beach99.8%

5St. Pete Beach99.8%

6Sanibel99.6%

7Bradenton Beach98%

8Siesta Key98%

9Navarre Beach97%

10Marco Island96%

11Miami Beach95%

12Longboat Key95%

13Pensacola Beach93%

14Islamorada91%

15Key West88%

16Cedar Key87%

17Naples77%

18Hallandale Beach71%

19Palm Beach63%

20Fort Lauderdale60%

21St. Augustine60%

22Mexico Beach55%

23Santa Rosa Beach (30A)54%

24Hollywood51%

25New Smyrna Beach50%

26Daytona Beach50%

27Panama City Beach50%

28West Palm Beach47%

29Flagler Beach45%

30Pompano Beach45%

31Cape Coral45%

32Cocoa Beach44%

33Apalachicola44%

34Jacksonville Beach39%

35Ormond Beach33%

36Palm Bay29%

37Fernandina Beach27%

38Sarasota26%

39Boca Raton26%

40Venice24%

41Melbourne21%

42Clearwater19%

43Vero Beach18%

44Destin16%

45Fort Pierce16%

46Delray Beach13%

47Fort Walton Beach12%

48Satellite Beach10%

49Jupiter8.8%

50Stuart4.3%

Sources: NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer (ocean connected land only), FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer, US Census town boundaries. Santa Rosa Beach (30A) is ZIP 32459; Pensacola Beach is ZIP 32561. Prepared by Florida Coastal, November 2026.

What stands out

Highest risk: Anna Maria (9.9), Marathon (9.7), Sanibel (9.3), Fort Myers Beach (9.0). All four sit almost entirely in FEMA's high risk zone, and big shares of their land are within three feet of high tide.
Lowest risk: Stuart (1.5), Fort Walton Beach (1.9), Melbourne (2.1), Jupiter (2.2), Palm Bay (2.3).
Marathon floods first. A quarter of its land is under water at just one foot above normal high tide, and 58% at three feet.
Treasure Island is 99.9% inside FEMA's high risk zone, but only 19% of its land is below three feet. FEMA's map also covers storm surge and waves, not just tide.
Palm Bay ranks among the safest, and it still flooded badly on November 2, 2026. That was rain, which neither map measures.

How the Combined Score works

The score compares each town to the other 49 on this list. It is a ranking, not a prediction of whether a particular home will flood.

Rank on tide flooding. Each town gets a percentile from 0 to 100 based on how much of its land is under water at three feet above normal high tide.
Rank on the FEMA map. Each town gets a second percentile from 0 to 100 based on how much of its land is in FEMA's high risk zone. Towns that tie share a percentile.
Average and scale. The two percentiles are averaged with equal weight and scaled from 1 to 10.

Worked example: Santa Rosa Beach (30A)

7.4% of its land is under water at three feet, which puts it at the 38.8th percentile. 53.5% is in FEMA's high risk zone, the 55.1st percentile. The average is 46.95, and 1 + 9 × 0.4695 = 5.2. It lands right in the middle of the list, at rank 29.

Median elevation is shown for each town for information only. It is not part of the score.

Where the two maps disagree

The tide map and the FEMA map measure different things, so a few towns rank very differently on each.

FEMA shows more risk than the tide map
Town	Land under at +3 ft	In FEMA zone
Panama City Beach	0.3%	50.1%
West Palm Beach	0.3%	47.4%
Daytona Beach	0.5%	50.1%
Mexico Beach	1.0%	55.4%
Palm Bay	0.2%	29.3%

Little of this land sits within three feet of high tide, but FEMA maps sizable rain, river, lake or surge zones.

The tide map shows more risk than FEMA
Town	Land under at +3 ft	In FEMA zone
Cocoa Beach	31.7%	44.4%
Flagler Beach	29.9%	45.4%
Jacksonville Beach	24.7%	38.9%
Apalachicola	23.3%	44.0%

These towns have a lot of low, ocean connected land, but less of it is in FEMA's high risk zone. FEMA's map does not include everyday high tides or future sea level rise.

What neither map shows: rain

Both maps are about the ocean and official flood zones. Neither counts heavy rain, which is how Palm Bay ended up with kayaks in the streets after up to two feet of rain in two days. A low score does not mean a street never floods in a downpour. Read the full story of Florida's two floods this fall.

Before you buy, check the street

Tide map. NOAA's free Sea Level Rise Viewer shows the exact streets that flood at 1, 2 and 3 feet.
FEMA zone. Look up the address in the Flood Map Service Center.
Rain history. Ask the neighbors whether the street flooded in recent storms.
Insurance. Standard homeowners policies do not cover floods. Get a flood quote before you make an offer. Our insurance guide has more.

Florida Beach Towns Ranked by Flood Risk

What stands out

How the Combined Score works

Worked example: Santa Rosa Beach (30A)

Where the two maps disagree

What neither map shows: rain

Before you buy, check the street

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