Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hernando than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hernando gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #617 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2017.
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 Hernando’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hernando faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Hernando’s grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hernando, and Hernando’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #617 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hernando’s residents live in 6 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, Hernando has more expected damage per building than 97% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Hernando: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hernando flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hernando, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton4 claims · $127K
Hernando isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Citrus County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hernando
Disasters that paid out in Hernando itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hernando), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton458 households applied for aid$991K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $127K
- 2024Hurricane Helene221 households applied for aid$348K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby22 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia87 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,352 households applied for aid$447K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby18 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne320 households applied for aid$431K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan30 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances398 households applied for aid$414K aid approved
Citrus County has had 29 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Citrus County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Hernando after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hernando archive →Hernando and its neighbors
Hernando is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus Hills | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | — |
| Citrus Springs | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Inverness Highlands North | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Pine Ridge | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Hernando | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 5 |
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 Hernando faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hernando
Is Hernando at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hernando has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #617 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hernando flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Hernando since 2017, $134K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (4).
Is Hernando 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 Citrus County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hernando?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hernando’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 Hernando?
By FEMA money that reached Hernando, Hurricane Milton (2024): 458 households applied for aid, $991K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 4 paid, $127K.
Is Hernando at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Hernando’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hernando.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hernando’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.