On FEMA’s figures, Heathrow faces less hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heathrow gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #12 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2008.
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 Heathrow 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 Heathrow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Heathrow, and Heathrow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 28% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #12 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Heathrow’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Heathrow has less expected damage per building than 98% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Heathrow: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Heathrow flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Heathrow, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Fay1 claim · $11K
- The Low pressure system1 claim · $3K
Heathrow 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Heathrow
Disasters that paid out in Heathrow itself (aid to households or repair grants to Heathrow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma44 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley10 households applied for aid$3K 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 Heathrow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Heathrow archive →Heathrow and its neighbors
Heathrow has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lake Mary | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Heathrow 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 Heathrow
Is Heathrow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heathrow has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #12 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Heathrow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Heathrow since 2008, $19K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Fay (1).
Is Heathrow 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 Heathrow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Heathrow’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 Heathrow?
By FEMA money that reached Heathrow, Hurricane Ian (2022): 14 households applied for aid, $10K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Fay: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Heathrow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Heathrow’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Heathrow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Heathrow’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.