Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts South Daytona’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Daytona gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #276 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (55%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1,358 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 South Daytona’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Daytona 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
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 South Daytona’s grade
Hurricanes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Daytona, and South Daytona’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #276 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Daytona’s residents live in 6 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, South Daytona has less expected damage per building than 57% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across South Daytona: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Daytona flood? Yes: 1,358 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Daytona, from FEMA’s records: 181.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton544 claims · $46.1M
- Hurricane Ian423 claims · $39.7M
- Hurricane Irma84 claims · $5.5M
South Daytona is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Volusia County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Daytona
Disasters that paid out in South Daytona itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Daytona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,331 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$1.4M to the City of South Daytona for repairs544 flood claims paid for it, $46.1M
- 2022Hurricane Nicole106 households applied for aid$251K aid approved43 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,827 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$2.4M to the City of South Daytona for repairs423 flood claims paid for it, $39.7M
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,398 households applied for aid$890K aid approved$1.1M to the City of South Daytona for repairs84 flood claims paid for it, $5.5M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew481 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$1.4M to the City of South Daytona for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds165 households applied for aid$163K aid approved$64K to the City of South Daytona for repairs46 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay7 households applied for aid$845 aid approved$21K to the City of South Daytona for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne301 households applied for aid$281K aid approved$617K to the City of South Daytona for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan12 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,181 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$581K to the City of South Daytona for repairs70 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley918 households applied for aid$563K aid approved$989K to the City of South Daytona for repairs
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$211K to the City of South Daytona for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Volusia County has had 30 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 Volusia County, 2006–2007.
Old photos of South Daytona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Daytona archive →South Daytona and its neighbors
South Daytona is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Orange | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 1,882 |
| Daytona Beach | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 1,683 |
| South Daytona | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1,358 |
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 South Daytona 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.
- 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.
- South Daytona residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Daytona
Is South Daytona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Daytona has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #276 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (55%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Daytona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,358 claims in South Daytona since 1982, $99.4M in all, or 181.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 341 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (544).
Is South Daytona 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 Volusia County, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Daytona?
South Daytona is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in South Daytona?
By FEMA money that reached South Daytona, Hurricane Ian (2022): 1,827 households applied for aid, $5.4M approved, and $2.4M to the City of South Daytona for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 544 paid, $46.1M.
Is South Daytona at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and South Daytona’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Daytona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Daytona’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.