Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Williston than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williston gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #89 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2026.
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 Williston 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
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.
What’s behind Williston’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williston, and Williston’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #89 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williston’s residents live in 3 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, Williston has less expected damage per building than 86% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $970K a year in losses across Williston: $720K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williston flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2026
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williston, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Williston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Levy County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williston
Disasters that paid out in Williston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Williston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton12 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$25K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene660 households applied for aid$850K aid approved$170K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby318 households applied for aid$262K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia282 households applied for aid$134K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian$44K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,866 households applied for aid$658K aid approved$67K to the City of Williston for repairs
Show all 12
- 2016Hurricane Hermine13 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$20K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne277 households applied for aid$272K aid approved$25K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2 households applied for aid$615 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances441 households applied for aid$541K aid approved$103K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley27 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$10K to the City of Williston for repairs
Levy County has had 31 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 Levy County, 1999–2026.
Old photos of Williston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williston archive →Williston and its neighbors
Williston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williston | C+more damage than 60% | hurricanes | 1 |
| East Williston | — | 520 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Williston 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Williston
Is Williston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williston has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #89 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Williston since 2026, $112K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Williston 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 Levy County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Williston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williston’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 Williston?
By FEMA money that reached Williston, Hurricane Helene (2024): 660 households applied for aid, $850K approved, and $170K to the City of Williston for repairs.
Is Williston at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Williston’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williston’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.