Photo: Wknight94 talk · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hudson faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #331 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (40%), then coastal flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 3,954 claims here since 1978.
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 Hudson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hudson 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 Hudson’s grade
Hurricanes are 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hudson, and Hudson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #331 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hudson’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, Hudson has more expected damage per building than 52% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Hudson: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hudson flood? Yes: 3,954 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hudson, from FEMA’s records: 520.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Blizzard of 19931,300 claims · $35.2M
- Hurricane Helene1,186 claims · $122M
- Hurricane Josephine462 claims · $5.9M
Hudson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pasco County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hudson
Disasters that paid out in Hudson itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hudson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton3,590 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,547 households applied for aid$33.7M aid approved1,186 flood claims paid for it, $122M
- 2023Hurricane Idalia1,337 households applied for aid$4.6M aid approved443 flood claims paid for it, $31.2M
- 2022Hurricane Ian547 households applied for aid$189K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,798 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Hermine322 households applied for aid$793K aid approved183 flood claims paid for it, $6.4M
Show all 11
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby302 households applied for aid$640K aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne557 households applied for aid$816K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan20 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances425 households applied for aid$630K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley45 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
Pasco County has had 33 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 Pasco County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Hudson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hudson archive →Hudson and its neighbors
Hudson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayonet Point | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Hudson | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 3,954 |
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 Hudson 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 Hudson
Is Hudson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #331 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (40%) and coastal flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hudson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,954 claims in Hudson since 1978, $205M in all, or 520.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Blizzard of 1993 (1,300).
Is Hudson 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 Pasco County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hudson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hudson’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 Hudson?
By FEMA money that reached Hudson, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,547 households applied for aid, $33.7M approved. By flood claims, Blizzard of 1993: 1,300 paid, $35.2M.
Is Hudson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Hudson’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hudson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hudson’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.