Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in The Villages than in 75% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, The Villages gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #251 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 The Villages 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
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 The Villages’ grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in The Villages, and The Villages’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 44%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #251 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
The Villages’ residents live in 17 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, The Villages has less expected damage per building than 61% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.8M a year in losses across The Villages: $25.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does The Villages flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in The Villages, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $9K
The Villages isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sumter County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to The Villages
Disasters that paid out in The Villages itself (aid to households or repair grants to The Villages), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton223 households applied for aid$53K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma532 households applied for aid$86K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes454 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2004Hurricane Frances10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Its 2 counties have had 26 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 its 2 counties, 1999–2000.
Old photos of The Villages after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the The Villages archive →The Villages and its neighbors
The Villages 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildwood | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 12 |
| The Villages | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 The Villages 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.
- 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 The Villages
Is The Villages at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, The Villages has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #251 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does The Villages flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in The Villages since 2004, $10K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (1).
Is The Villages 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 Sumter County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in The Villages?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for The Villages’ 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 The Villages?
By FEMA money that reached The Villages, Hurricane Irma (2017): 532 households applied for aid, $86K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 1 paid, $9K.
Is The Villages at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and The Villages’ rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in The Villages.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where The Villages’ 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.