Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Center Hill than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Hill gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1995.
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 Center Hill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Center Hill 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
Wildfire
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 Center Hill’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Hill, and Center Hill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Center Hill’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $261K a year in losses across Center Hill: $183K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Hill flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center Hill, from FEMA’s records: 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Center Hill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sumter County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Center Hill
Disasters that paid out in Center Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Center Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton219 households applied for aid$207K aid approved$4K to the City of Center Hill for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma276 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$60K to the City of Center Hill for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne114 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$28K to the City of Center Hill for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances84 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$9K to the City of Center Hill 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 Center Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center Hill archive →Get ready for what Center Hill 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Center Hill residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Center Hill
Is Center Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Hill has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Center Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Center Hill since 1995, $17K in all, or 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Center Hill 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 Center Hill?
Center Hill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Center Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Center Hill, Hurricane Milton (2024): 219 households applied for aid, $207K approved, and $4K to the City of Center Hill for repairs.
Is Center Hill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Center Hill’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center Hill’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.