Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Perry faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #536 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1991.
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 Perry 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
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 Perry’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perry, and Perry’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #536 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perry’s residents live in 4 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, Perry has more expected damage per building than 84% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Perry: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perry flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perry, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Blizzard of 19934 claims · $175K
- Tropical Storm Fay3 claims · $30K
- Hurricane Sally1 claim · $2K
Perry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taylor County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perry
Disasters that paid out in Perry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Perry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,181 households applied for aid$13.6M aid approved$78K to the City of Perry for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby1,697 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia5,416 households applied for aid$7.5M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Perry for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $25K
- 2020Hurricane Sally2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2018Hurricane Michael124 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$164K to the City of Perry for repairs
Show all 13
- 2016Hurricane Hermine181 households applied for aid$264K aid approved$151K to the City of Perry for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby72 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay60 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$5K to the City of Perry for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $30K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis96 households applied for aid$128K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne126 households applied for aid$182K aid approved$30K to the City of Perry for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan50 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances$11K to the City of Perry for repairs
Taylor County has had 27 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 Taylor County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Perry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perry archive →Get ready for what Perry 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.
- 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 Perry
Is Perry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perry has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #536 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Perry since 1991, $273K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Blizzard of 1993 (4).
Is Perry 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 Taylor County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Perry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perry’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 Perry?
By FEMA money that reached Perry, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,181 households applied for aid, $13.6M approved, and $78K to the City of Perry for repairs. By flood claims, Blizzard of 1993: 4 paid, $175K.
Is Perry at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Perry’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perry’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.