On FEMA’s figures, Union Park faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union Park gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #206 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1991.
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 Union Park 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 Union Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union Park, and Union Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #206 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Union Park’s residents live in 4 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, Union Park has less expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Union Park: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union Park flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Union Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian2 claims · $67K
Union Park 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union Park
Disasters that paid out in Union Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to Union Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $67K
- 2017Hurricane Irma2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 Union Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union Park archive →Union Park and its neighbors
Union Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alafaya | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Union Park | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Union Park 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 Union Park
Is Union Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union Park has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #206 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Union Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Union Park since 1991, $104K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (2).
Is Union Park 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 Union Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union Park’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 Union Park?
By FEMA money that reached Union Park, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 2 paid, $67K.
Is Union Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Union Park’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union Park’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.