More hazard damage per building is expected in Wesley Chapel than in 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wesley Chapel gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #292 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 94 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 stands out about Wesley Chapel’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wesley Chapel 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
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 Wesley Chapel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wesley Chapel, and Wesley Chapel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 43%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #292 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wesley Chapel’s residents live in 12 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, Wesley Chapel has less expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.0M a year in losses across Wesley Chapel: $19.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wesley Chapel flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wesley Chapel, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton37 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Frances17 claims · $185K
- Hurricane Irma6 claims · $78K
Wesley Chapel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pasco County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wesley Chapel
Disasters that paid out in Wesley Chapel itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wesley Chapel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,330 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved37 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,567 households applied for aid$819K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia247 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,088 households applied for aid$294K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $18K
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,308 households applied for aid$750K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $78K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby49 households applied for aid$19K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $81K
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne231 households applied for aid$291K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan12 households applied for aid$870 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances204 households applied for aid$290K aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $185K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley31 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Pasco County has had 33 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 Pasco County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Wesley Chapel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wesley Chapel archive →Wesley Chapel and its neighbors
Wesley Chapel is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land O' Lakes | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 76 |
| Wesley Chapel | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Pasadena Hills | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
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 Wesley Chapel 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.
- 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 Wesley Chapel
Is Wesley Chapel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wesley Chapel has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #292 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wesley Chapel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Wesley Chapel since 1979, $2.6M in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (37).
Is Wesley Chapel 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 Pasco County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wesley Chapel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wesley Chapel’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 Wesley Chapel?
By FEMA money that reached Wesley Chapel, Hurricane Milton (2024): 8,330 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 37 paid, $2.0M.
Is Wesley Chapel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Wesley Chapel’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wesley Chapel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wesley Chapel’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.