Clark-Chalker House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Middleburg faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middleburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #260 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 230 claims here since 1991.
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 Middleburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Middleburg 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
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 Middleburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middleburg, and Middleburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #260 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middleburg’s residents live in 3 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, Middleburg has less expected damage per building than 59% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Middleburg: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middleburg flood? Yes: 230 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middleburg, from FEMA’s records: 45.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma100 claims · $13.0M
- Tropical Storm Debby50 claims · $1.9M
- Hurricane Frances12 claims · $323K
Middleburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middleburg
Disasters that paid out in Middleburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to Middleburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton289 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,983 households applied for aid$5.5M aid approved100 flood claims paid for it, $13.0M
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby387 households applied for aid$763K aid approved50 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay86 households applied for aid$21K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $71K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne388 households applied for aid$434K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $20K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan29 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Frances501 households applied for aid$633K aid approved12 flood claims paid for it, $323K
Clay County has had 24 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clay County, 1999–2026.
Old photos of Middleburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middleburg archive →Get ready for what Middleburg 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.
- 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 Middleburg
Is Middleburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middleburg has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #260 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middleburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 230 claims in Middleburg since 1991, $16.4M in all, or 45.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (100).
Is Middleburg 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 Clay County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Middleburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middleburg’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 Middleburg?
By FEMA money that reached Middleburg, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4,983 households applied for aid, $5.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 100 paid, $13.0M.
Is Middleburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Middleburg’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middleburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middleburg’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.