For coastal flooding, Oldsmar’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oldsmar gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #99 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 619 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 Oldsmar’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oldsmar 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
Coastal flooding
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 Oldsmar’s grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oldsmar, and Oldsmar’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #99 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oldsmar’s residents live in 6 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, Oldsmar has less expected damage per building than 85% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Oldsmar: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oldsmar flood? Yes: 619 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oldsmar, from FEMA’s records: 99.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene342 claims · $30.3M
- Hurricane Elena102 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Milton41 claims · $5.7M
Oldsmar is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oldsmar
Disasters that paid out in Oldsmar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oldsmar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton2,210 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$3.1M to the City of Oldsmar for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $5.7M
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,400 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved$156K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs342 flood claims paid for it, $30.3M
- 2024Hurricane Debby61 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$34K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia109 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$64K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $913K
- 2022Hurricane Ian441 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$157K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,428 households applied for aid$265K aid approved$255K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby20 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$23K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne65 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$67K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances37 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$37K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $163K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$21K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs
Pinellas County has had 32 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 Pinellas County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Oldsmar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oldsmar archive →Oldsmar and its neighbors
Oldsmar has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oldsmar | C+more damage than 63% | hurricanes | 619 |
| East Lake | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
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 Oldsmar 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Oldsmar residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Oldsmar
Is Oldsmar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oldsmar has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #99 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oldsmar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 619 claims in Oldsmar since 1979, $40.6M in all, or 99.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (342).
Is Oldsmar 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 Pinellas County, 19.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Oldsmar?
Oldsmar is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Oldsmar?
By FEMA money that reached Oldsmar, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,400 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved, and $156K to the City of Oldsmar for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 342 paid, $30.3M.
Is Oldsmar at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Oldsmar’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oldsmar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oldsmar’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.