Photo: JaconaFrere · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Valrico’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valrico gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #375 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (34%). 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 Valrico 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 Valrico’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valrico, and Valrico’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #375 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Valrico’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, Valrico has more expected damage per building than 59% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.6M a year in losses across Valrico: $11.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valrico flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valrico, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton18 claims · $1.5M
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $496K
- Hurricane Debby3 claims · $504K
Valrico 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valrico
Disasters that paid out in Valrico itself (aid to households or repair grants to Valrico), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,579 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,289 households applied for aid$954K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby131 households applied for aid$117K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $504K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia120 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian3,139 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,183 households applied for aid$986K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $496K
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine23 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $504K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne523 households applied for aid$425K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances279 households applied for aid$410K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 59 households applied for aid$700 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 Valrico after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valrico archive →Valrico and its neighbors
Valrico is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Bloomingdale | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Fish Hawk | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Valrico | C−more damage than 84% | 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 Valrico 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 Valrico
Is Valrico at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valrico has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #375 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Valrico flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Valrico since 1979, $2.8M in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (18).
Is Valrico 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 Valrico?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Valrico’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 Valrico?
By FEMA money that reached Valrico, Hurricane Milton (2024): 8,579 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 18 paid, $1.5M.
Is Valrico at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Valrico’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valrico.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valrico’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.