Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Madison faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #404 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1987.
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 Madison 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 Madison’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 23% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D #404 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’s residents live in 2 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, Madison has more expected damage per building than 63% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Madison: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,397 households applied for aid$5.3M aid approved$175K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby1,027 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia2,815 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$193K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$24K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1 households applied for aid$78K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Hermine$82K to the City of Madison for repairs
Show all 10
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby$5K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds33 households applied for aid$54K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay90 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne461 households applied for aid$840K aid approved
Madison County has had 21 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 Madison County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Get ready for what Madison 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 Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #404 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Madison since 1987, $91K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Madison 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 Madison County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,397 households applied for aid, $5.3M approved, and $175K to the City of Madison for repairs.
Is Madison at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Madison’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’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.