On FEMA’s figures, Odessa faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odessa gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #270 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1997.
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 Odessa 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 Odessa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Odessa, and Odessa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #270 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Odessa’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, Odessa has less expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Odessa: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Odessa flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Odessa, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton4 claims · $148K
- Tropical Storm Debby2 claims · $26K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $264K
Odessa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pasco County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Odessa
Disasters that paid out in Odessa itself (aid to households or repair grants to Odessa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,889 households applied for aid$756K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $148K
- 2024Hurricane Helene448 households applied for aid$322K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby7 households applied for aid$19K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $26K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia38 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian274 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,068 households applied for aid$302K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby14 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $26K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne126 households applied for aid$127K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances113 households applied for aid$139K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $264K
Pasco County has had 33 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pasco County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Odessa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Odessa archive →Odessa and its neighbors
Odessa is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Odessa | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Odessa 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 Odessa
Is Odessa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odessa has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #270 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Odessa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Odessa since 1997, $450K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (4).
Is Odessa 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 Pasco County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Odessa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Odessa’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 Odessa?
By FEMA money that reached Odessa, Hurricane Milton (2024): 1,889 households applied for aid, $756K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 4 paid, $148K.
Is Odessa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Odessa’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Odessa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Odessa’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.