FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cross City than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cross City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1980.
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 Cross City 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
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 Cross City’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cross City, and Cross City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cross City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $711K a year in losses across Cross City: $603K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cross City flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cross City, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cross City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dixie County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cross City
Disasters that paid out in Cross City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cross City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton$74K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene447 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$189K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby476 households applied for aid$687K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia755 households applied for aid$796K aid approved$493K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma584 households applied for aid$219K aid approved$42K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Hermine52 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$12K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne174 households applied for aid$302K aid approved$3K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances207 households applied for aid$309K aid approved$25K to the Town of Cross City for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley13 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Dixie County has had 31 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Dixie County, 2000–2001.
Old photos of Cross City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cross City archive →Get ready for what Cross City 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.
- 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 Cross City
Is Cross City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cross City has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cross City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Cross City since 1980, $53K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cross City 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 Dixie County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cross City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cross City’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 Cross City?
By FEMA money that reached Cross City, Hurricane Helene (2024): 447 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $189K to the Town of Cross City for repairs.
Is Cross City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Cross City’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cross City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cross City’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.