Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Havana than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Havana gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (42%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Havana 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 Havana’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Havana, and Havana’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Havana’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $721K a year in losses across Havana: $436K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Havana flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Havana. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Havana isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gadsden County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Havana
Disasters that paid out in Havana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Havana), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene$31K to the Town of Havana for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael1,135 households applied for aid$508K aid approved$234K to the Town of Havana for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay57 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$21K to the Town of Havana for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan30 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances$9K to the Town of Havana for repairs
Gadsden County has had 28 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.
Old photos of Havana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Havana archive →Get ready for what Havana 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 Havana
Is Havana at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Havana has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Havana 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 Gadsden County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Havana?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Havana’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 Havana?
By FEMA money that reached Havana, Hurricane Michael (2018): 1,135 households applied for aid, $508K approved, and $234K to the Town of Havana for repairs.
Is Havana at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Havana’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Havana.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Havana’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.