Photo: (Ebyabe) · CC BY 2.5For strong wind, Ocoee’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocoee gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #95 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1980.
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 Ocoee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ocoee 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
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 Ocoee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocoee, and Ocoee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #95 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ocoee’s residents live in 13 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, Ocoee has less expected damage per building than 85% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.8M a year in losses across Ocoee: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocoee flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocoee, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne3 claims · $25K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Charley1 claim · $14K
Ocoee is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocoee
Disasters that paid out in Ocoee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ocoee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,851 households applied for aid$669K aid approved$202K to the City of Ocoee for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2022Hurricane Ian2,363 households applied for aid$896K aid approved$1.0M to the City of Ocoee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,842 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Ocoee for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$142K to the City of Ocoee for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne786 households applied for aid$353K aid approved$318K to the City of Ocoee for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $25K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances484 households applied for aid$234K aid approved$57K to the City of Ocoee for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley267 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$263K to the City of Ocoee 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 Ocoee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocoee archive →Ocoee and its neighbors
Ocoee is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gotha | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Winter Garden | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Lake Butler | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Ocoee | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Clarcona | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine Hills | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Paradise Heights | — | 877 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Ocoee 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.
- 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.
- Ocoee residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ocoee
Is Ocoee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocoee has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #95 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocoee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Ocoee since 1980, $232K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (3).
Is Ocoee 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 Ocoee?
Ocoee is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Ocoee?
By FEMA money that reached Ocoee, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4,842 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Ocoee for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 3 paid, $25K.
Is Ocoee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Ocoee’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocoee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocoee’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.