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DHazard risk
Natural hazards in High Springs · FEMA

FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in High Springs than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Springs gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #387 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (28%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.

River and rain flooding 62%Hurricanes 28%Wildfire 6%

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

more than 85%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#387 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
D#387 of 638
in Florida · higher than 85% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
62% of expected building damage
Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
8
of 21 declared for Alachua County
By hazard

What High Springs 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

62%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Hurricanes

28%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 5 years in the area

Wildfire

6%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Earthquakes Strong wind Lightning Hail Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind High Springs’ grade

River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in High Springs, and High Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.

Where High Springs sits
High Springs
Least damageMiddleMost damage

D #387 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).

High Springs’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding62%Hurricanes28%Wildfire6%Everything else4%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, High Springs has more expected damage per building than 61% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across High Springs: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 920 aid registrations from High Springs addresses (the town has 2,415 homes).
A small-area figure. High Springs covers 4 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does High Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in High Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

High Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Alachua County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
2homes raised above flood level
Disasters

8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to High Springs

Disasters that paid out in High Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of High Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Helene807 households applied for aid$933K aid approved$116K to the City of High Springs for repairs
  2. 2024Hurricane Debby233 households applied for aid$336K aid approved$45K to the City of High Springs for repairs
  3. 2023Hurricane Idalia113 households applied for aid$210K aid approved$32K to the City of High Springs for repairs
  4. 2017Hurricane Irma920 households applied for aid$443K aid approved$26K to the City of High Springs for repairs
  5. 2012Tropical Storm Debby22 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
  6. 2008Tropical Storm Fay2 households applied for aid$139 aid approved$58K to the City of High Springs for repairs
Show all 8
  1. 2004Hurricane Jeanne205 households applied for aid$222K aid approved$164K to the City of High Springs for repairs
  2. 2004Hurricane Frances394 households applied for aid$416K aid approved$56K to the City of High Springs for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in High SpringsAlachua County only

Alachua County has had 21 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Alachua County, 1999–2007.

Were you here?

Old photos of High Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the High Springs archive →
Next door

High Springs and its neighbors

High Springs is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Alachua: hazard risk CNewberry: hazard risk C−AlachuaNewberryHigh Springs
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
AlachuaCmore damage than 74%river and rain flooding20
NewberryC−more damage than 82%river and rain flooding3
High SpringsDmore damage than 85%river and rain flooding0

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what High Springs faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Wildfire
  • Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
  • Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
  • Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in High Springs

Is High Springs at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Springs has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #387 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Is High Springs 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 Alachua County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in High Springs?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for High Springs’ 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 High Springs?

By FEMA money that reached High Springs, Hurricane Helene (2024): 807 households applied for aid, $933K approved, and $116K to the City of High Springs for repairs.

Is High Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and High Springs’ rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in High Springs.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where High Springs’ 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.