FEMA puts University’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #121 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 87 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 University 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
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 University’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in University, and University’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #121 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
University’s residents live in 16 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, University has less expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across University: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University flood? Sometimes: 87 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in University, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton80 claims · $21.9M
- Hurricane Elena1 claim · $1K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $580K
University isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to University
Disasters that paid out in University itself (aid to households or repair grants to University), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
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 University after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the University archive →University and its neighbors
University has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| University | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 87 |
| Lake Magdalene | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 134 |
| Tampa | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 7,067 |
| Lutz | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 72 |
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 University 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.
- 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 University
Is University at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #121 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does University flood?
Flood insurance has paid 87 claims in University since 1979, $22.5M in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (80).
Is University 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 University?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University’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 University?
By FEMA money that reached University, Hurricane Irma (2017): 2 households applied for aid, $500 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 80 paid, $21.9M.
Is University at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and University’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University’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.