Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Belle Isle’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle Isle gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #73 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2017.
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 Belle Isle 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 Belle Isle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belle Isle, and Belle Isle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #73 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belle Isle’s residents live in 3 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, Belle Isle has less expected damage per building than 89% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Belle Isle: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belle Isle flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belle Isle, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian4 claims · $457K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $9K
Belle Isle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belle Isle
Disasters that paid out in Belle Isle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Belle Isle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton46 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$373K to the City of Belle Isle for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian137 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Belle Isle for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $457K
- 2017Hurricane Irma289 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Belle Isle for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne15 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$362K to the City of Belle Isle for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$686K to the City of Belle Isle for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley94 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$1.6M to the City of Belle Isle 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 Belle Isle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belle Isle archive →Belle Isle and its neighbors
Belle Isle is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Castle | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Belle Isle | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Orlando | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 312 |
| Edgewood | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Conway | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
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 Belle Isle 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Belle Isle
Is Belle Isle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle Isle has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #73 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belle Isle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Belle Isle since 2017, $467K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (4).
Is Belle Isle 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 Belle Isle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belle Isle’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 Belle Isle?
By FEMA money that reached Belle Isle, Hurricane Irma (2017): 289 households applied for aid, $62K approved, and $1.7M to the City of Belle Isle for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 4 paid, $457K.
Is Belle Isle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Belle Isle’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belle Isle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belle Isle’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.