For strong wind, Horizon West’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Horizon West gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #62 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2022.
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 Horizon West 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
Strong wind
Wildfire
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 Horizon West’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Horizon West, and Horizon West’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #62 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Horizon West’s residents live in 5 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, Horizon West has less expected damage per building than 90% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.6M a year in losses across Horizon West: $15.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Horizon West flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Horizon West, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $1K
Horizon West isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.The storms Horizon West remembers
None of the 25 disasters declared for Orange County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Horizon West itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20222 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nicole, declared for Orange County
- 20241 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Orange County
Orange County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Orange County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Horizon West after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Horizon West archive →Horizon West and its neighbors
Horizon West is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Garden | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Horizon West | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lake Butler | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Four Corners | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bay Lake | — | 21 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Horizon West 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Horizon West
Is Horizon West at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Horizon West has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #62 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Horizon West flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Horizon West since 2022, $88K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (1).
Is Horizon West 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 Orange County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Horizon West?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Horizon West’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 Horizon West?
By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Horizon West at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Horizon West’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Horizon West.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Horizon West’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.