Photo: WhisperToMe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Homosassa than almost anywhere in the U.S., led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homosassa gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then coastal flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 663 claims here since 1993.
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 Homosassa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Homosassa faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Homosassa’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Homosassa, and Homosassa’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 44%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Homosassa’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Homosassa: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Homosassa flood? Yes: 663 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Homosassa, from FEMA’s records: 323.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene451 claims · $40.7M
- Hurricane Idalia159 claims · $11.6M
- Hurricane Hermine34 claims · $1.6M
Homosassa 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 Homosassa
Disasters that paid out in Homosassa itself (aid to households or repair grants to Homosassa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,159 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,634 households applied for aid$7.2M aid approved451 flood claims paid for it, $40.7M
- 2024Hurricane Debby87 households applied for aid$131K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
- 2023Hurricane Idalia660 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved159 flood claims paid for it, $11.6M
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,785 households applied for aid$888K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Hermine280 households applied for aid$529K aid approved34 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
Show all 10
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby55 households applied for aid$78K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne423 households applied for aid$397K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan26 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances743 households applied for aid$854K 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 Homosassa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Homosassa archive →Homosassa and its neighbors
Homosassa is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homosassa Springs | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 42 |
| Homosassa | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 663 |
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 Homosassa 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Homosassa
Is Homosassa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homosassa has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and coastal flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Homosassa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 663 claims in Homosassa since 1993, $55.1M in all, or 323.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (451).
Is Homosassa 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 Homosassa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Homosassa’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 Homosassa?
By FEMA money that reached Homosassa, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,634 households applied for aid, $7.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 451 paid, $40.7M.
Is Homosassa at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Homosassa’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Homosassa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Homosassa’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.