Photo: עדירל · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Oakland’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #70 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Oakland 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
Strong wind
Wildfire
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 Oakland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakland, and Oakland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #70 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakland’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, Oakland has less expected damage per building than 89% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Oakland: $866K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakland, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $82K
Oakland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakland
Disasters that paid out in Oakland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oakland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton141 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$181K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian77 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$165K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma216 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$236K to the Town of Oakland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $82K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne46 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$44K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances35 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$39K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley27 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$56K to the Town of Oakland for repairs
Orange County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Orange County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Oakland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakland archive →Oakland and its neighbors
Oakland is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clermont | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Winter Garden | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Oakland | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Oakland 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Oakland
Is Oakland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #70 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Oakland since 2017, $82K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (1).
Is Oakland 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 Orange County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oakland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakland’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 Oakland?
By FEMA money that reached Oakland, Hurricane Irma (2017): 216 households applied for aid, $54K approved, and $236K to the Town of Oakland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 1 paid, $82K.
Is Oakland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Oakland’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakland’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.