Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Dunnellon faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dunnellon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2004.
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 Dunnellon 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 Dunnellon’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dunnellon, and Dunnellon’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 higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dunnellon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $954K a year in losses across Dunnellon: $807K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dunnellon flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dunnellon, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne2 claims · $8K
- Tropical Storm Debby1 claim · $22K
Dunnellon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dunnellon
Disasters that paid out in Dunnellon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dunnellon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton896 households applied for aid$748K aid approved$27K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene288 households applied for aid$175K aid approved$10K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby19 households applied for aid$32K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $22K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia149 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$16K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian2 households applied for aid$700 aid approved$11K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,684 households applied for aid$887K aid approved$98K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
Show all 13
- 2016Hurricane Hermine12 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby9 households applied for aid$22K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $22K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$13K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne528 households applied for aid$548K aid approved$113K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan32 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances739 households applied for aid$712K aid approved$105K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$4K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs
Marion County has had 25 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 Marion County, 1999–2000.
Old photos of Dunnellon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dunnellon archive →Dunnellon and its neighbors
Dunnellon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunnellon | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 4 |
| Rainbow Springs | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Dunnellon 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 Dunnellon
Is Dunnellon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dunnellon has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dunnellon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Dunnellon since 2004, $33K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (2).
Is Dunnellon 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 Marion County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dunnellon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dunnellon’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 Dunnellon?
By FEMA money that reached Dunnellon, Hurricane Irma (2017): 2,684 households applied for aid, $887K approved, and $98K to the City of Dunnellon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Dunnellon at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Dunnellon’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dunnellon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dunnellon’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.