FEMA puts Pasadena Hills’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pasadena Hills gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #303 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1985.
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 Pasadena Hills 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
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 Pasadena Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pasadena Hills, and Pasadena Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #303 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pasadena Hills’ residents live in 7 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, Pasadena Hills has less expected damage per building than 53% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Pasadena Hills: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pasadena Hills flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pasadena Hills, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton8 claims · $183K
- Hurricane Frances3 claims · $117K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $211
Pasadena Hills 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.The storms Pasadena Hills remembers
None of the 33 disasters declared for Pasco County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Pasadena Hills itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20249 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Pasco County
- 20043 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Jeanne, declared for Pasco County
- 19972 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, High Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Pasco County
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 Pasadena Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pasadena Hills archive →Pasadena Hills and its neighbors
Pasadena Hills is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Leo | C+more damage than 59% | hurricanes | — |
| San Antonio | C+more damage than 59% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Dade City | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Wesley Chapel | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Pasadena Hills | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Zephyrhills | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
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 Pasadena Hills 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pasadena Hills
Is Pasadena Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pasadena Hills has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #303 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 Pasadena Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Pasadena Hills since 1985, $397K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (8).
Is Pasadena Hills 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 Pasadena Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pasadena Hills’ 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 Pasadena Hills?
By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 8 paid, $183K.
Is Pasadena Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Pasadena Hills’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pasadena Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pasadena Hills’ 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.