On FEMA’s figures, Bloomingdale faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomingdale gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #349 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 217 claims here since 1979.
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 Bloomingdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bloomingdale 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
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 Bloomingdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomingdale, and Bloomingdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #349 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bloomingdale’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, Bloomingdale has more expected damage per building than 55% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Bloomingdale: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomingdale flood? Yes: 217 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomingdale, from FEMA’s records: 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton59 claims · $5.1M
- Hurricane Frances57 claims · $1.9M
- Hurricane Irma29 claims · $2.3M
Bloomingdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.The storms Bloomingdale remembers
None of the 34 disasters declared for Hillsborough County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Bloomingdale itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202470 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Hillsborough County
- 200458 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Jeanne, declared for Hillsborough County
- 201730 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County has had 34 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 Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Bloomingdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomingdale archive →Bloomingdale and its neighbors
Bloomingdale is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Bloomingdale 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.
- 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 Bloomingdale
Is Bloomingdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomingdale has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #349 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bloomingdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 217 claims in Bloomingdale since 1979, $10.7M in all, or 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (59).
Is Bloomingdale 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 Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bloomingdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomingdale’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 Bloomingdale?
By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 59 paid, $5.1M.
Is Bloomingdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Bloomingdale’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomingdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomingdale’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.