Photo: Piperpet · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Seffner than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seffner gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #157 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Seffner 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
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 Seffner’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seffner, and Seffner’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
C #157 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seffner’s residents live in 3 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, Seffner has less expected damage per building than 76% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Seffner: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seffner flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seffner, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Seffner 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seffner
Disasters that paid out in Seffner itself (aid to households or repair grants to Seffner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton6,312 households applied for aid$6.3M aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,094 households applied for aid$931K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby139 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia149 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian2,593 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,377 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby7 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne371 households applied for aid$436K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances165 households applied for aid$200K 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 Seffner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seffner archive →Seffner and its neighbors
Seffner is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Seffner 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.
- 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 Seffner
Is Seffner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seffner has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #157 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seffner flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Seffner since 2017, $15K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Seffner 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 Seffner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seffner’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 Seffner?
By FEMA money that reached Seffner, Hurricane Milton (2024): 6,312 households applied for aid, $6.3M approved.
Is Seffner at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Seffner’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seffner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seffner’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.