On FEMA’s figures, Princeton faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #188 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (50%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 96 claims here since 1981.
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 Princeton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Princeton 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 Princeton’s grade
Hurricanes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Princeton, and Princeton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #188 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Princeton’s residents live in 8 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, Princeton has less expected damage per building than 71% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Princeton: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Princeton flood? Sometimes: 96 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Princeton, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina59 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Irma9 claims · $308K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $44K
Princeton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dade County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Princeton
Disasters that paid out in Princeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Princeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma892 households applied for aid$266K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $308K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma167 households applied for aid$52K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $26K
- 2004Hurricane Frances10 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Its 2 counties have had 32 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 its 2 counties, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Princeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Princeton archive →Princeton and its neighbors
Princeton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Princeton 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 Princeton
Is Princeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #188 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (50%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Princeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 96 claims in Princeton since 1981, $1.6M in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (59).
Is Princeton 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 Dade County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Princeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Princeton’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 Princeton?
By FEMA money that reached Princeton, Hurricane Irma (2017): 892 households applied for aid, $266K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 59 paid, $1.1M.
Is Princeton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Princeton’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Princeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Princeton’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.