For strong wind, Bithlo’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bithlo gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #94 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Bithlo 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
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 Bithlo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bithlo, and Bithlo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #94 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bithlo’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, Bithlo has less expected damage per building than 85% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bithlo: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bithlo flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bithlo, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $4K
- Hurricane Ian2 claims · $55K
Bithlo 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bithlo
Disasters that paid out in Bithlo itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bithlo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $4K
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 Bithlo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bithlo archive →Bithlo and its neighbors
Bithlo has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Bithlo 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.
- 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 Bithlo
Is Bithlo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bithlo has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #94 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bithlo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Bithlo since 2017, $59K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (2).
Is Bithlo 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 Bithlo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bithlo’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 Bithlo?
By FEMA money that reached Bithlo, Hurricane Irma (2017): 8 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Bithlo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Bithlo’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bithlo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bithlo’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.