Dunlawton Plantation-Sugar Mill Ruins · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in Port Orange than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Orange gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #215 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 1,882 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 Port Orange’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Orange 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 Port Orange’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Orange, and Port Orange’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C #215 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Orange’s residents live in 17 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, Port Orange has less expected damage per building than 66% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.7M a year in losses across Port Orange: $15.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Orange flood? Yes: 1,882 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Orange, from FEMA’s records: 59.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton807 claims · $59.0M
- Hurricane Ian566 claims · $43.8M
- Hurricane Frances178 claims · $5.8M
Port Orange is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Volusia County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Orange
Disasters that paid out in Port Orange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Orange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5,376 households applied for aid$12.7M aid approved$3.4M to the City of Port Orange for repairs807 flood claims paid for it, $59.0M
- 2022Hurricane Nicole410 households applied for aid$754K aid approved$481K to the City of Port Orange for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian8,496 households applied for aid$24.1M aid approved$6.9M to the City of Port Orange for repairs566 flood claims paid for it, $43.8M
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$12K to the City of Port Orange for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,905 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Port Orange for repairs84 flood claims paid for it, $4.0M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew2,885 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$6.1M to the City of Port Orange for repairs44 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
Show all 14
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds303 households applied for aid$444K aid approved$312K to the City of Port Orange for repairs57 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay35 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$46K to the City of Port Orange for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne998 households applied for aid$691K aid approved$970K to the City of Port Orange for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan47 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances4,864 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Port Orange for repairs178 flood claims paid for it, $5.8M
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley3,297 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$4.5M to the City of Port Orange for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$316K to the City of Port Orange for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$274K to the City of Port Orange for repairs
Volusia County has had 30 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Volusia County, 2006–2007.
Old photos of Port Orange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Orange archive →Port Orange and its neighbors
Port Orange is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytona Beach Shores | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 69 |
| Port Orange | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 1,882 |
| Ponce Inlet | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 136 |
| Daytona Beach | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 1,683 |
| New Smyrna Beach | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | 966 |
| South Daytona | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,358 |
| Samsula-Spruce Creek | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | — |
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 Port Orange 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.
- Port Orange 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 Port Orange
Is Port Orange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Orange has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #215 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Orange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,882 claims in Port Orange since 1979, $118M in all, or 59.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 375 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (807).
Is Port Orange 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 Volusia County, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Orange?
Port Orange 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 Port Orange?
By FEMA money that reached Port Orange, Hurricane Ian (2022): 8,496 households applied for aid, $24.1M approved, and $6.9M to the City of Port Orange for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 807 paid, $59.0M.
Is Port Orange at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Port Orange’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Orange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Orange’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.