Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hilliard faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hilliard gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #27 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Hilliard 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
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 Hilliard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hilliard, and Hilliard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 34% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #27 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hilliard’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, Hilliard has less expected damage per building than 96% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $681K a year in losses across Hilliard: $521K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hilliard flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hilliard, 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 Matthew1 claim · $1K
Hilliard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hilliard
Disasters that paid out in Hilliard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hilliard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma722 households applied for aid$364K aid approved$1.2M to the Town of Hilliard for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew19 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$28K to the Town of Hilliard for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby22 households applied for aid$93K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay32 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$9K to the Town of Hilliard for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne32 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$6K to the Town of Hilliard for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances56 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$21K to the Town of Hilliard for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$1K to the Town of Hilliard for repairs
Nassau County has had 26 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 Nassau County, 1999–2000.
Old photos of Hilliard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hilliard archive →Get ready for what Hilliard 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.
- 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 Hilliard
Is Hilliard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hilliard has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #27 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hilliard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hilliard since 2016, $1K 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 Matthew (1).
Is Hilliard 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 Nassau County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hilliard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hilliard’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 Hilliard?
By FEMA money that reached Hilliard, Hurricane Irma (2017): 722 households applied for aid, $364K approved, and $1.2M to the Town of Hilliard for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Hilliard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Hilliard’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hilliard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hilliard’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.