Photo: FLboats · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in DeLand than in 79% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeLand gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #309 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (47%), then river and rain flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 2001.
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 DeLand 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 DeLand’s grade
Hurricanes are 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeLand, and DeLand’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #309 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
DeLand’s residents live in 13 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, DeLand has less expected damage per building than 52% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across DeLand: $11.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeLand flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in DeLand, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton5 claims · $831K
- Hurricane Ian3 claims · $33K
- The Low pressure system1 claim · $5K
DeLand isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Volusia County.18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeLand
Disasters that paid out in DeLand itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of DeLand), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5,304 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved$675K to the City of DeLand for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $831K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$107K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole215 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$47K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian5,875 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$1.6M to the City of DeLand for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $33K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$52K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma6,358 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$1.8M to the City of DeLand for repairs
Show all 18
- 2016Hurricane Matthew665 households applied for aid$290K aid approved$760K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds33 households applied for aid$46K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay182 households applied for aid$139K aid approved$104K to the City of DeLand for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes873 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$81K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding196 households applied for aid$834K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $280K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,504 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$734K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan49 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances4,287 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$1.5M to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley869 households applied for aid$684K aid approved$346K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$2K to the City of DeLand for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$14K to the City of DeLand for repairs
Volusia County has had 30 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 Volusia County, 2006–2007.
Old photos of DeLand after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeLand archive →DeLand and its neighbors
DeLand is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeLand Southwest | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| DeLand | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 16 |
| Lake Helen | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| West DeLand | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Deltona | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
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 DeLand 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 DeLand
Is DeLand at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeLand has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #309 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (47%) and river and rain flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does DeLand flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in DeLand since 2001, $1.2M in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (5).
Is DeLand 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 Volusia County, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in DeLand?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeLand’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 DeLand?
By FEMA money that reached DeLand, Hurricane Frances (2004): 4,287 households applied for aid, $4.0M approved, and $1.5M to the City of DeLand for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 5 paid, $831K.
Is DeLand at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and DeLand’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeLand.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeLand’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.