Photo: Slapp9 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Temple Terrace faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temple Terrace gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #316 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1979.
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 Temple Terrace’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Temple Terrace 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
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 Temple Terrace’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Temple Terrace, and Temple Terrace’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #316 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Temple Terrace’s residents live in 8 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, Temple Terrace has less expected damage per building than 51% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Temple Terrace: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Temple Terrace flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Temple Terrace, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton7 claims · $924K
- Hurricane Josephine2 claims · $149K
- Tropical Storm Debby1 claim · $4K
Temple Terrace is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Temple Terrace
Disasters that paid out in Temple Terrace itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Temple Terrace), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton2,157 households applied for aid$843K aid approved$537K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $924K
- 2024Hurricane Helene442 households applied for aid$215K aid approved$120K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby46 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$107K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia57 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$364K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian779 households applied for aid$278K aid approved$606K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,766 households applied for aid$475K aid approved$919K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
Show all 11
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne24 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$134K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances22 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$671K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$36K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
- 1999Tropical Storm Irene - Florida$2K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs
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 Temple Terrace after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Temple Terrace archive →Temple Terrace and its neighbors
Temple Terrace 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 7,067 |
| East Lake-Orient Park | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 22 |
| Temple Terrace | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
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 Temple Terrace 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.
- 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.
- Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace
Is Temple Terrace at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temple Terrace has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #316 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Temple Terrace flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Temple Terrace since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (7).
Is Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace?
Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace?
By FEMA money that reached Temple Terrace, Hurricane Irma (2017): 1,766 households applied for aid, $475K approved, and $919K to the City of Temple Terrace for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 7 paid, $924K.
Is Temple Terrace at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Temple Terrace’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Temple Terrace.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Temple Terrace’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.