Fellsmere, Florida Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Fellsmere faces inland flooding from the St. Johns Marsh, Blue Cypress Lake, and agricultural drainage canals in western Indian River County. Heavy tropical rainfall raises water levels in the surrounding marshlands and overwhelms canal drainage.
Indian River County has recorded 3,348 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $66.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
22,553
Indian River County
Avg. Premium
$902/yr
Indian River County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Indian River County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $22.7M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $835K
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $132.1M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Indian River County
Indian River County has been included in 22 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 14 earlier declarations since 1999.
These declarations affected communities across Indian River County, including Fellsmere.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Indian River County
Properties in Indian River County have filed 3,348 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $66.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $20K.
Highest-Claim Years
2004
2,226 claims - $50.8M
1999
139 claims - $740K
2017
128 claims - $3.9M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Indian River County
An estimated 36% of households in Indian River County carry NFIP flood insurance.
Penetration Rate
36%
Claims Ratio
1 in 7
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$19,740
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Indian River County
Indian River County has 227 properties with multiple flood losses, including 8 severe repetitive loss properties. 4 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
227
Severe Rep. Loss
8
Mitigated
4
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: INDIAN RIVER County
NOAA has recorded 16 flood events in INDIAN RIVER County since 1996, causing $6.4M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Indian River County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 16 properties in Indian River County, investing $1.2M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Fellsmere
Fellsmere faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Fellsmere are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $22.7M.
Riverine flood risk in Fellsmere is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Fellsmere address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Fellsmere
Fellsmere participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Fellsmere's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Fellsmere, FL Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Fellsmere, FL?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Fellsmere are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Fellsmere?
If your Fellsmere property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Fellsmere?
Enter your Fellsmere address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Fellsmere offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Fellsmere participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Fellsmere experienced major flooding events?
Indian River County, where Fellsmere is located, has been part of 22 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Milton in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Fellsmere?
Indian River County has recorded 3,348 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $66.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2004, with 2,226 claims and $50.8M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Fellsmere.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Fellsmere?
Indian River County currently has 22,553 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $902. The most policies are in Zone X (14,011 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Fellsmere properties have flooded repeatedly?
Indian River County has 227 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 8 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Fellsmere property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Fellsmere?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Fellsmere's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Florida Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Fellsmere, FL Address
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.