Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bushnell than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bushnell gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #220 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (47%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1998.
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 Bushnell faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Bushnell’s grade
Hurricanes are 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bushnell, and Bushnell’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #220 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bushnell’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, Bushnell has less expected damage per building than 66% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Bushnell: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bushnell flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bushnell, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $123K
Bushnell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sumter County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bushnell
Disasters that paid out in Bushnell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bushnell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,119 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$282K to the City of Bushnell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $123K
- 2024Hurricane Helene$29K to the City of Bushnell for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$7K to the City of Bushnell for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,398 households applied for aid$499K aid approved$116K to the City of Bushnell for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne488 households applied for aid$769K aid approved$134K to the City of Bushnell for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances414 households applied for aid$406K aid approved$79K to the City of Bushnell for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$7K to the City of Bushnell for repairs
Sumter County has had 23 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sumter County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Bushnell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bushnell archive →Get ready for what Bushnell faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Bushnell
Is Bushnell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bushnell has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #220 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (47%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bushnell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bushnell since 1998, $159K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (1).
Is Bushnell 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 Sumter County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bushnell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bushnell’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 Bushnell?
By FEMA money that reached Bushnell, Hurricane Milton (2024): 1,119 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $282K to the City of Bushnell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 1 paid, $123K.
Is Bushnell at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Bushnell’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bushnell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bushnell’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.