FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pine Hills than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Hills gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #168 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Pine 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
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 Pine Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine Hills, and Pine Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #168 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pine Hills’ residents live in 13 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, Pine Hills has less expected damage per building than 74% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Pine Hills: $9.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine Hills flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine Hills, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Josephine1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $68K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $26K
Pine 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: Orange County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Hills
Disasters that paid out in Pine Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pine Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian45 households applied for aid$29K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $68K
- 2017Hurricane Irma33 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Pine Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Hills archive →Pine Hills and its neighbors
Pine Hills is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlovista | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Orlando | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 312 |
| Ocoee | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Clarcona | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine Hills | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Pine 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pine Hills
Is Pine Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Hills has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #168 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pine Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Pine Hills since 1979, $183K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Josephine (1).
Is Pine 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 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 Pine Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine 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 Pine Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Hills, Hurricane Ian (2022): 45 households applied for aid, $29K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Josephine: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Pine Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Pine Hills’ rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine 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.