South Pasadena, Florida Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
South Pasadena faces flooding from Boca Ciega Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway in southern Pinellas County. Storm surge from Gulf hurricanes raises water levels in the bay system and threatens low-lying residential areas.
Pinellas County has recorded 51,741 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $3.7B 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
153,768
Pinellas County
Avg. Premium
$1,265/yr
Pinellas County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Pinellas 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 HighEst. annual loss: $90.8M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $24.6M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $110.1M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Pinellas County
Pinellas County has been included in 21 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 13 earlier declarations since 1972.
These declarations affected communities across Pinellas County, including South Pasadena.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Pinellas County
Properties in Pinellas County have filed 51,741 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $3.7B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $72K.
Highest-Claim Years
2024
26,347 claims - $3.3B
1985
6,064 claims - $51.4M
1996
3,551 claims - $50.0M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Pinellas County
An estimated 41% of households in Pinellas County carry NFIP flood insurance.
Penetration Rate
41%
Claims Ratio
1 in 3
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$71,621
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Pinellas County
Pinellas County has 3,288 properties with multiple flood losses, including 1,158 severe repetitive loss properties. 110 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
3,288
Severe Rep. Loss
1,158
Mitigated
110
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: PINELLAS County
NOAA has recorded 51 flood events in PINELLAS County since 1996, causing $10.5M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Pinellas County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 349 properties in Pinellas County, investing $3.6M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in South Pasadena
South Pasadena is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in South Pasadena are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $90.8M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in South Pasadena's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in South Pasadena are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. 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.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any South Pasadena address.
Flood Insurance Discount: South Pasadena
South Pasadena 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). South Pasadena'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.
South Pasadena, FL Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in South Pasadena, FL?
The most common FEMA flood zones in South Pasadena are Zone AE, Zone VE, 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 South Pasadena?
If your South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena?
Enter your South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena experienced major flooding events?
Pinellas County, where South Pasadena is located, has been part of 21 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 South Pasadena?
Pinellas County has recorded 51,741 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $3.7B in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2024, with 26,347 claims and $3.3B in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including South Pasadena.
How many flood insurance policies are active in South Pasadena?
Pinellas County currently has 153,768 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,265. The most policies are in Zone AE (119,922 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many South Pasadena properties have flooded repeatedly?
Pinellas County has 3,288 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1,158 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 South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena?
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 South Pasadena's Zone AE and Zone VE 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
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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.