FEMA puts Northdale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northdale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #154 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 165 claims here since 1985.
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 Northdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northdale 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
Tornadoes
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 Northdale’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northdale, and Northdale’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
C #154 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northdale’s residents live in 8 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, Northdale has less expected damage per building than 76% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Northdale: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northdale flood? Yes: 165 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northdale, from FEMA’s records: 17.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton101 claims · $11.7M
- Tropical Storm Debby3 claims · $85K
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $5K
Northdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northdale
Disasters that paid out in Northdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to Northdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton18 households applied for aid$1K aid approved101 flood claims paid for it, $11.7M
- 2024Hurricane Helene3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
Hillsborough County has had 34 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Northdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northdale archive →Northdale and its neighbors
Northdale is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheval | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 6 |
| Lake Magdalene | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 134 |
| Northdale | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 165 |
| Carrollwood | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 90 |
| Citrus Park | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Keystone | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
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 Northdale 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Northdale
Is Northdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northdale has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #154 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 165 claims in Northdale since 1985, $13.3M in all, or 17.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (101).
Is Northdale 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 Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northdale’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 Northdale?
By FEMA money that reached Northdale, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 101 paid, $11.7M.
Is Northdale at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Northdale’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northdale’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.