West Ocala Historic District · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in Ocala than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocala gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #136 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (55%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1979.
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 Ocala’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocala 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 Ocala’s grade
Hurricanes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocala, and Ocala’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C #136 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocala’s residents live in 25 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, Ocala has less expected damage per building than 79% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.8M a year in losses across Ocala: $22.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocala flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocala, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $305K
- Tropical Storm Debby1 claim · $32K
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $6K
Ocala is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Marion County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocala
Disasters that paid out in Ocala itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ocala), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5,716 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Ocala for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene$554K to the City of Ocala for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$499K to the City of Ocala for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$260K to the City of Ocala for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian5 households applied for aid$372K to the City of Ocala for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 13
- 2017Hurricane Irma29,565 households applied for aid$10.7M aid approved$7.1M to the City of Ocala for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $305K
- 2016Hurricane Hermine$197K to the City of Ocala for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay64 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$223K to the City of Ocala for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne4,502 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$3.0M to the City of Ocala for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan272 households applied for aid$143K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances6,019 households applied for aid$4.7M aid approved$3.9M to the City of Ocala for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$96K to the City of Ocala for repairs
Marion County has had 25 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Marion County, 1999–2000.
Old photos of Ocala after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocala archive →Ocala and its neighbors
Ocala 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 35 |
| Silver Springs | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | — |
| Liberty Triangle | C−more damage than 78% | 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 Ocala 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.
- Ocala residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ocala
Is Ocala at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocala has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #136 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (55%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocala flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Ocala since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (4).
Is Ocala 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 Marion County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ocala?
Ocala is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ocala?
By FEMA money that reached Ocala, Hurricane Irma (2017): 29,565 households applied for aid, $10.7M approved, and $7.1M to the City of Ocala for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 4 paid, $305K.
Is Ocala at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Ocala’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocala.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocala’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.