Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Orlando faces more hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, and 312 flood claims have been paid there
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orlando gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #84 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 312 claims here since 1978.
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 Orlando’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orlando 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 Orlando’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orlando, and Orlando’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #84 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orlando’s residents live in 91 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, Orlando has less expected damage per building than 87% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Orlando has higher expected damage per building than 51% (#203 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $89.3M, is the 135th largest of those 400.
Does Orlando flood? Yes: 312 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orlando, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian160 claims · $14.6M
- Hurricane Milton23 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Irma19 claims · $565K
Orlando is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orlando
Disasters that paid out in Orlando itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Orlando), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton41,263 households applied for aid$18.6M aid approved$1.9M to the City of Orlando for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2023Hurricane Idalia3 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$58K to the City of Orlando for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$145K to the City of Orlando for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian83,355 households applied for aid$65.0M aid approved$14.2M to the City of Orlando for repairs160 flood claims paid for it, $14.6M
- 2017Hurricane Irma128,629 households applied for aid$37.6M aid approved$7.5M to the City of Orlando for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $565K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew2 households applied for aid$507K to the City of Orlando for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay302 households applied for aid$204K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$9K to the City of Orlando for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne18,762 households applied for aid$16.5M aid approved$7.8M to the City of Orlando for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $48K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan541 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances19,303 households applied for aid$17.3M aid approved$6.2M to the City of Orlando for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $24K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley45,796 households applied for aid$24.4M aid approved$15.1M to the City of Orlando 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 Orlando after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orlando archive →Orlando and its neighbors
Orlando is 7th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taft | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fairview Shores | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Azalea Park | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Holden Lakes | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Winter Park | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Doctor Phillips | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Orlando | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 312 |
| Oak Ridge | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Conway | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Pine Hills | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Lake Hart | — | 426 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 Orlando 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.
- Orlando 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 Orlando
Is Orlando at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orlando has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #84 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orlando flood?
Flood insurance has paid 312 claims in Orlando since 1978, $17.7M in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (160).
Is Orlando 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 Orlando?
Orlando 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 Orlando?
By FEMA money that reached Orlando, Hurricane Ian (2022): 83,355 households applied for aid, $65.0M approved, and $14.2M to the City of Orlando for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 160 paid, $14.6M.
Is Orlando at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Orlando’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orlando.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orlando’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.