FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Forest City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #16 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1986.
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 Forest City 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 Forest City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest City, and Forest City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 27% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #16 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest City’s residents live in 3 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, Forest City has less expected damage per building than 98% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Forest City: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest City flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest City, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma5 claims · $92K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $947
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $3K
Forest City 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest City
Disasters that paid out in Forest City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Forest City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton17 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $947
- 2022Hurricane Ian11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2017Hurricane Irma48 households applied for aid$21K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $92K
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 Forest City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest City archive →Forest City and its neighbors
Forest City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Wekiwa Springs | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| 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 Forest City 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 Forest City
Is Forest City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest City has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #16 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Forest City since 1986, $136K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (5).
Is Forest City 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 Forest City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest City’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 Forest City?
By FEMA money that reached Forest City, Hurricane Irma (2017): 48 households applied for aid, $21K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 5 paid, $92K.
Is Forest City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Forest City’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest City’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.