Photo: Victor Patel Uploaded by Shreeg88 at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Silver Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silver Springs gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #281 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (43%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Silver Springs 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 Silver Springs’ grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Silver Springs, and Silver Springs’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #281 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Silver Springs’ 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, Silver Springs has less expected damage per building than 56% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Silver Springs: $935K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Silver Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Silver Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Silver Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Silver Springs
Disasters that paid out in Silver Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to Silver Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton273 households applied for aid$489K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,604 households applied for aid$683K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne377 households applied for aid$480K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan17 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances529 households applied for aid$421K aid approved
Marion 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Marion County, 1999–2000.
Old photos of Silver Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Silver Springs archive →Silver Springs and its neighbors
Silver Springs is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 35 |
| Silver Springs | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | 0 |
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 Silver Springs 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 Silver Springs
Is Silver Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silver Springs has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #281 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Silver Springs 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 Marion County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Silver Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Silver Springs’ 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 Silver Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Silver Springs, Hurricane Irma (2017): 1,604 households applied for aid, $683K approved.
Is Silver Springs at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Silver Springs’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Silver Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Silver Springs’ 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.