Southchase’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southchase gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #31 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims 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 Southchase 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
Strong wind
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 Southchase’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southchase, and Southchase’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #31 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southchase’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, Southchase has less expected damage per building than 95% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Southchase: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southchase flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southchase, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian2 claims · $99K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $178K
Southchase isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.The storms Southchase remembers
None of the 25 disasters declared for Orange County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Southchase itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20222 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nicole, declared for Orange County
- 20171 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for Orange County
Orange County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter 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 Orange County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Southchase after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southchase archive →Southchase and its neighbors
Southchase has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southchase | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hunters Creek | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Meadow Woods | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Southchase 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Southchase
Is Southchase at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southchase has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #31 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southchase flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Southchase since 2017, $277K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (2).
Is Southchase 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 Orange County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southchase?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southchase’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 Southchase?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 2 paid, $99K.
Is Southchase at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Southchase’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southchase.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southchase’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.