Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5For strong wind, Apopka’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apopka gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #49 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
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 Apopka’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Apopka 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 Apopka’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Apopka, and Apopka’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #49 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Apopka’s residents live in 20 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, Apopka has less expected damage per building than 92% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.8M a year in losses across Apopka: $11.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Apopka flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Apopka, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $42K
- The Low pressure system1 claim · $430
Apopka is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Apopka
Disasters that paid out in Apopka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Apopka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,416 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Apopka for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian6,399 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Apopka for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma14,101 households applied for aid$4.6M aid approved$2.7M to the City of Apopka for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $42K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew10 households applied for aid$104K to the City of Apopka for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay80 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,863 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$446K to the City of Apopka for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan92 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances2,265 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$317K to the City of Apopka for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,104 households applied for aid$911K aid approved$139K to the City of Apopka for repairs
Orange County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Orange County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Apopka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Apopka archive →Apopka and its neighbors
Apopka is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Apopka | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Apopka | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Zellwood | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clarcona | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Paradise Heights | — | 877 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Apopka 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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.
- Apopka residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Apopka
Is Apopka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apopka has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #49 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Apopka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Apopka since 2009, $42K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (1).
Is Apopka 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 Orange County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Apopka?
Apopka is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Apopka?
By FEMA money that reached Apopka, Hurricane Irma (2017): 14,101 households applied for aid, $4.6M approved, and $2.7M to the City of Apopka for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 1 paid, $42K.
Is Apopka at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Apopka’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Apopka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Apopka’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.