On FEMA’s figures, Wedgefield faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wedgefield gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #300 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then wildfire (23%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2019.
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 Wedgefield 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
Wildfire
Hurricanes
Strong wind
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 Wedgefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wedgefield, and Wedgefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 23%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #300 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wedgefield’s residents live in 2 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, Wedgefield has less expected damage per building than 53% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Wedgefield: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wedgefield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wedgefield, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian2 claims · $19K
Wedgefield 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.The storms Wedgefield remembers
None of the 25 disasters declared for Orange County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Wedgefield itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20222 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nicole, declared for Orange County
- 20191 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Dorian, declared for Orange County
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 Wedgefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wedgefield archive →Wedgefield and its neighbors
Wedgefield 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 |
| Wedgefield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Wedgefield 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Wedgefield
Is Wedgefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wedgefield has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #300 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and wildfire (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wedgefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Wedgefield since 2019, $40K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (2).
Is Wedgefield 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 Wedgefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wedgefield’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 Wedgefield?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Wedgefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Wedgefield’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wedgefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wedgefield’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.