Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fanning Springs than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fanning Springs gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1984.
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 Fanning Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Fanning Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fanning Springs, and Fanning Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fanning Springs’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $372K a year in losses across Fanning Springs: $243K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fanning Springs flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fanning Springs, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fanning Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Levy County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fanning Springs
Disasters that paid out in Fanning Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fanning Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene86 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$3K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby41 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$35K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia59 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma111 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$16K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$8K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne17 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$7K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances47 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$38K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Levy 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Levy County, 1999–2026.
Old photos of Fanning Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fanning Springs archive →Fanning Springs and its neighbors
Fanning Springs is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fanning Springs | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Fanning Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fanning Springs
Is Fanning Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fanning Springs has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fanning Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fanning Springs since 1984, $26K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fanning Springs 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 Levy County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fanning Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fanning Springs’ 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 Fanning Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Fanning Springs, Hurricane Helene (2024): 86 households applied for aid, $178K approved, and $3K to the City of Fanning Springs for repairs.
Is Fanning Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Fanning Springs’ rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fanning Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fanning Springs’ 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.