On FEMA’s figures, Riverview faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverview gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #253 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 233 claims here since 1982.
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 Riverview’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Riverview 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
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 Riverview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riverview, and Riverview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 39%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #253 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Riverview’s residents live in 19 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, Riverview has less expected damage per building than 60% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Riverview has higher expected damage per building than 67% (#270 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $32.6M, is the 342th largest of those 400.
Does Riverview flood? Yes: 233 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riverview, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton39 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Helene29 claims · $3.1M
- Hurricane Frances23 claims · $595K
Riverview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Riverview
Disasters that paid out in Riverview itself (aid to households or repair grants to Riverview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton26,834 households applied for aid$19.7M aid approved39 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2024Hurricane Helene5,172 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved29 flood claims paid for it, $3.1M
- 2024Hurricane Debby588 households applied for aid$363K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia528 households applied for aid$185K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian9,215 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,348 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine17 households applied for aid$45K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby31 households applied for aid$19K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne582 households applied for aid$916K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances262 households applied for aid$527K aid approved23 flood claims paid for it, $595K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Hillsborough County has had 34 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Riverview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riverview archive →Riverview and its neighbors
Riverview is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm River-Clair Mel | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 257 |
| Apollo Beach | Cmore damage than 65% | hurricanes | 1,014 |
| Balm | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brandon | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Progress Village | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| Gibsonton | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 253 |
| Riverview | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
| Bloomingdale | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Fish Hawk | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Riverview 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.
- 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 Riverview
Is Riverview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverview has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #253 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Riverview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 233 claims in Riverview since 1982, $8.7M in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (39).
Is Riverview 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 Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Riverview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Riverview’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 Riverview?
By FEMA money that reached Riverview, Hurricane Milton (2024): 26,834 households applied for aid, $19.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 39 paid, $2.0M.
Is Riverview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Riverview’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riverview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riverview’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.