Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Celebration’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Celebration gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #355 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then strong wind (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2022.
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 Celebration 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
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Celebration’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Celebration, and Celebration’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #355 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Celebration’s residents live in 2 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, Celebration has more expected damage per building than 56% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Celebration: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Celebration flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Celebration, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $4K
Celebration isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Osceola County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Celebration
Disasters that paid out in Celebration itself (aid to households or repair grants to Celebration), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian24 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2017Hurricane Irma81 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley7 households applied for aid$564 aid approved
Osceola County has had 24 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 Osceola County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Celebration after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Celebration archive →Get ready for what Celebration 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Celebration
Is Celebration at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Celebration has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #355 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and strong wind (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Celebration flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Celebration since 2022, $4K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (1).
Is Celebration 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 Osceola County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Celebration?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Celebration’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 Celebration?
By FEMA money that reached Celebration, Hurricane Ian (2022): 24 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Celebration at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Celebration’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Celebration.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Celebration’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.