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Sebring, FL, USA - panoramio - William “Patrick” Ma… (2)Photo: William “Patrick” Ma… · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Sebring · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Sebring faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, led by strong wind

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sebring gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #322 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (37%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2017.

Strong wind 37%Hurricanes 36%River and rain flooding 21%

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

more than 79%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#322 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
C−#322 of 638
in Florida · higher than 79% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Strong wind
37% of expected building damage
Flood claims
3
paid since 2017 · $196K
Disasters paid out here
10
of 25 declared for Highlands County
By hazard

What Sebring faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Strong wind

37%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Hurricanes

36%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 4 years in the area

River and rain flooding

21%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Wildfire Hail Earthquakes Cold waves top 3% Lightning Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingWinter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Sebring’s grade

Strong wind is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sebring, and Sebring’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 36%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Sebring sits
Sebring
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #322 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Sebring’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Strong wind37%Hurricanes36%River and rain flooding21%Everything else5%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sebring has more expected damage per building than 50% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Sebring: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 12,300 aid registrations from Sebring addresses (the town has 5,986 homes) and flood insurance paid 2 claims for $86K.
A firm figure. It combines 11 census tracts by where Sebring’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Sebring flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sebring, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
2017: 2 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 1 claim2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims20172022
20172026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irma2 claims · $86K
  • Hurricane Ian1 claim · $110K
3
paid claims since 2017
$196K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$65K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Sebring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Highlands County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
10buildings retrofitted against wind
2storm safe rooms built
Disasters

10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sebring

Disasters that paid out in Sebring itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sebring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Milton5,322 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$111K to the City of Sebring for repairs
  2. 2022Hurricane Ian4,175 households applied for aid$4.2M aid approved$108K to the City of Sebring for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $110K
  3. 2017Hurricane Irma12,300 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$978K to the City of Sebring for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $86K
  4. 2012Tropical Storm Debby64 households applied for aid$73K aid approved
  5. 2005Hurricane Wilma$67K to the City of Sebring for repairs
  6. 2004Hurricane Jeanne4,161 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$760K to the City of Sebring for repairs
Show all 10
  1. 2004Hurricane Ivan40 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
  2. 2004Hurricane Frances1,070 households applied for aid$827K aid approved$176K to the City of Sebring for repairs
  3. 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley3,019 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$661K to the City of Sebring for repairs
  4. 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$8K to the City of Sebring for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in SebringHighlands County only

Highlands County has had 25 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 Highlands County, 1999–2007.

Were you here?

Old photos of Sebring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Sebring archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Sebring faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Sebring

Is Sebring at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sebring has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #322 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (37%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Sebring flood?

Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Sebring since 2017, $196K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (2).

Is Sebring 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 Highlands County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Sebring?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sebring’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 Sebring?

By FEMA money that reached Sebring, Hurricane Irma (2017): 12,300 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved, and $978K to the City of Sebring for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 2 paid, $86K.

Is Sebring at risk from strong wind?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Sebring’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sebring.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sebring’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.