On FEMA’s figures, Ensley faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ensley gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #440 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (77%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 95 claims here since 1979.
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 Ensley 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 Ensley’s grade
Hurricanes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ensley, and Ensley’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
D #440 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ensley’s residents live in 7 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, Ensley has more expected damage per building than 69% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.5M a year in losses across Ensley: $9.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ensley flood? Sometimes: 95 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ensley, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms35 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Sally23 claims · $981K
- Hurricane Georges (Panhandle)4 claims · $39K
Ensley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ensley
Disasters that paid out in Ensley itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ensley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Escambia 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Escambia County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Ensley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ensley archive →Ensley and its neighbors
Ensley is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 99 |
| Ensley | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 95 |
| Ferry Pass | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 107 |
| Gonzalez | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 48 |
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 Ensley 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 Ensley
Is Ensley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ensley has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #440 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (77%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ensley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 95 claims in Ensley since 1979, $3.8M in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (35).
Is Ensley 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 Escambia County, 62% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ensley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ensley’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 Ensley?
By FEMA money that reached Ensley, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 35 paid, $2.4M.
Is Ensley at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Ensley’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ensley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ensley’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.