Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Elfers than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elfers gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #97 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (50%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1982.
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 Elfers 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 Elfers’ grade
Hurricanes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elfers, and Elfers’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #97 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elfers’ residents live in 6 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, Elfers has less expected damage per building than 85% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Elfers: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elfers flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elfers, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Debby14 claims · $616K
- Hurricane Milton3 claims · $90K
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $304K
Elfers isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pasco County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elfers
Disasters that paid out in Elfers itself (aid to households or repair grants to Elfers), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2024Hurricane Helene4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $304K
Pasco County has had 33 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 Pasco County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Elfers after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elfers archive →Elfers and its neighbors
Elfers has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elfers | C+more damage than 63% | hurricanes | 57 |
| New Port Richey | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 1,017 |
| Beacon Square | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 416 |
| Holiday | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 351 |
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 Elfers 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 Elfers
Is Elfers at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elfers has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #97 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (50%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elfers flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Elfers since 1982, $1.4M in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Debby (14).
Is Elfers 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 Pasco County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elfers?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elfers’ 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 Elfers?
By FEMA money that reached Elfers, Hurricane Milton (2024): 7 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Debby: 14 paid, $616K.
Is Elfers at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Elfers’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elfers.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elfers’ 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.