Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Webster
Webster isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Webster yet. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
What Webster 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
Wildfire
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.
Does Webster flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Webster, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $10K
Webster is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sumter County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Webster
Disasters that paid out in Webster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Webster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,234 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$133K to the City of Webster for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene17 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian$4K to the City of Webster for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,416 households applied for aid$751K aid approved$36K to the City of Webster for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$681 aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne563 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$4K to the City of Webster for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2004Hurricane Frances429 households applied for aid$588K aid approved$43K to the City of Webster for repairs
Sumter County has had 23 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sumter County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Webster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Webster archive →Get ready for what Webster 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Webster residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Webster
Does Webster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Webster since 2004, $10K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (1).
Is Webster 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 Webster?
Webster is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Webster?
By FEMA money that reached Webster, Hurricane Milton (2024): 1,234 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $133K to the City of Webster for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 1 paid, $10K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Webster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Webster’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.