Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Archer than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Archer gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Archer 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 Archer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Archer, and Archer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Archer’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $385K a year in losses across Archer: $303K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Archer flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Archer, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $107K
Archer 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Archer
Disasters that paid out in Archer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Archer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene468 households applied for aid$553K aid approved$8K to the City of Archer for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby162 households applied for aid$228K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia27 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,026 households applied for aid$363K aid approved$8K to the City of Archer for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Hermine3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay4 households applied for aid$893 aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne158 households applied for aid$125K aid approved$344K to the City of Archer for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances326 households applied for aid$228K aid approved$23K to the City of Archer for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley3 households applied for aid$861 aid approved
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 Archer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Archer archive →Archer and its neighbors
Archer has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archer | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Newberry | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Archer 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 Archer
Is Archer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Archer has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Archer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Archer since 2005, $107K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Wilma (1).
Is Archer 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 Archer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Archer’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 Archer?
By FEMA money that reached Archer, Hurricane Helene (2024): 468 households applied for aid, $553K approved, and $8K to the City of Archer for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Wilma: 1 paid, $107K.
Is Archer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Archer’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Archer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Archer’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.