On FEMA’s figures, Christmas faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Christmas gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims 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 Christmas 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
Wildfire
Strong wind
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 Christmas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Christmas, and Christmas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 13%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Christmas’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $962K a year in losses across Christmas: $628K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Christmas flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Christmas, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian3 claims · $76K
Christmas 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Christmas
Disasters that paid out in Christmas itself (aid to households or repair grants to Christmas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton122 households applied for aid$165K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian164 households applied for aid$235K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $76K
- 2017Hurricane Irma428 households applied for aid$275K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay16 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne114 households applied for aid$143K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances212 households applied for aid$268K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley304 households applied for aid$368K aid approved
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 Christmas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Christmas archive →Christmas and its neighbors
Christmas is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bithlo | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Christmas | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Christmas 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Christmas
Is Christmas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Christmas has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Christmas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Christmas since 2022, $76K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (3).
Is Christmas 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 Christmas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Christmas’ 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 Christmas?
By FEMA money that reached Christmas, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 304 households applied for aid, $368K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 3 paid, $76K.
Is Christmas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Christmas’ rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Christmas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Christmas’ 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.