Photo: Dswisener · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Alachua than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alachua gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #245 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1998.
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 Alachua’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alachua 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
Wildfire
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 Alachua’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alachua, and Alachua’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #245 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alachua’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alachua has less expected damage per building than 62% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Alachua: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alachua flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alachua, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma9 claims · $583K
- Hurricane Elsa4 claims · $194K
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $112K
Alachua isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alachua County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alachua
Disasters that paid out in Alachua itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alachua), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton12 households applied for aid$85K to the City of Alachua for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene669 households applied for aid$922K aid approved$363K to the City of Alachua for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby265 households applied for aid$430K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $22K
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,260 households applied for aid$422K aid approved$164K to the City of Alachua for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $583K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay18 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$27K to the City of Alachua for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne269 households applied for aid$320K aid approved$421K to the City of Alachua for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances398 households applied for aid$345K aid approved$234K to the City of Alachua for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $112K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$18K to the City of Alachua for repairs
Alachua County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Alachua County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Alachua after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alachua archive →Alachua and its neighbors
Alachua is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 57 |
| Alachua | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| High Springs | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Alachua 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Alachua
Is Alachua at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alachua has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #245 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alachua flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Alachua since 1998, $987K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (9).
Is Alachua 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 Alachua County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alachua?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alachua’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 Alachua?
By FEMA money that reached Alachua, Hurricane Helene (2024): 669 households applied for aid, $922K approved, and $363K to the City of Alachua for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 9 paid, $583K.
Is Alachua at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Alachua’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alachua.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alachua’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.