More hazard damage per building is expected in Rio Pinar than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rio Pinar gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #144 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 79 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 Rio Pinar 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 Rio Pinar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rio Pinar, and Rio Pinar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #144 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rio Pinar’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rio Pinar has less expected damage per building than 78% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Rio Pinar: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rio Pinar flood? Sometimes: 79 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rio Pinar, from FEMA’s records: 42.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian68 claims · $8.3M
- Hurricane Irma3 claims · $16K
- Tropical Storm Fay2 claims · $7K
Rio Pinar 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.The storms Rio Pinar remembers
None of the 25 disasters declared for Orange County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Rio Pinar itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202268 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nicole, declared for Orange County
- 20173 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for Orange County
- 19932 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Rio Pinar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rio Pinar archive →Get ready for what Rio Pinar 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 Rio Pinar
Is Rio Pinar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rio Pinar has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #144 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rio Pinar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 79 claims in Rio Pinar since 1991, $8.7M in all, or 42.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (68).
Is Rio Pinar 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 Rio Pinar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rio Pinar’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 Rio Pinar?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 68 paid, $8.3M.
Is Rio Pinar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Rio Pinar’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rio Pinar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rio Pinar’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.