Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Inverness faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Inverness gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #592 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1984.
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 Inverness’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Inverness faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Inverness’ grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Inverness, and Inverness’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #592 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Inverness’ residents live in 7 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, Inverness has more expected damage per building than 93% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Inverness: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Inverness flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Inverness, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne2 claims · $77K
- Hurricane Elena1 claim · $26K
Inverness 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Inverness
Disasters that paid out in Inverness itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Inverness), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,323 households applied for aid$930K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Helene498 households applied for aid$357K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby41 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia253 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,836 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$213K to the City of Inverness for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Hermine18 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby28 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne481 households applied for aid$421K aid approved$44K to the City of Inverness for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $77K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan22 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances676 households applied for aid$538K aid approved$83K to the City of Inverness for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$7K to the City of Inverness for repairs
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 Inverness after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Inverness archive →Inverness and its neighbors
Inverness has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Inverness Highlands South | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | — |
| Inverness Highlands North | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
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 Inverness 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.
- 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 Inverness
Is Inverness at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Inverness has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #592 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Inverness flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Inverness since 1984, $107K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (2).
Is Inverness 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 Inverness?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Inverness’ 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 Inverness?
By FEMA money that reached Inverness, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3,836 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $213K to the City of Inverness for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 2 paid, $77K.
Is Inverness at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Inverness’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Inverness.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Inverness’ 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.