Less hazard damage per building is expected in Fern Park than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fern Park gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #8 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1991.
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 stands out about Fern Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fern Park 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
Tornadoes
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 Fern Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fern Park, and Fern Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 29% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #8 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fern Park’s residents live in 4 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, Fern Park has less expected damage per building than 99% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Fern Park: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fern Park flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fern Park, from FEMA’s records: 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian32 claims · $2.8M
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $311K
- Tropical Storm Fay1 claim · $14K
Fern Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seminole County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fern Park
Disasters that paid out in Fern Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to Fern Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton290 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian187 households applied for aid$210K aid approved32 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2017Hurricane Irma791 households applied for aid$284K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $311K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne49 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances85 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley101 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
Seminole 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 Seminole County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Fern Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fern Park archive →Fern Park and its neighbors
Fern Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fern Park | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Maitland | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Casselberry | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Altamonte Springs | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
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 Fern Park 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Fern Park
Is Fern Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fern Park has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #8 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fern Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Fern Park since 1991, $3.1M in all, or 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (32).
Is Fern Park 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 Seminole County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fern Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fern Park’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 Fern Park?
By FEMA money that reached Fern Park, Hurricane Irma (2017): 791 households applied for aid, $284K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 32 paid, $2.8M.
Is Fern Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Fern Park’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fern Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fern Park’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.