On FEMA’s figures, Wimauma faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wimauma gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #174 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2024.
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 Wimauma 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 Wimauma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wimauma, and Wimauma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #174 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wimauma’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, Wimauma has less expected damage per building than 73% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Wimauma: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wimauma flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wimauma, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $27K
Wimauma 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wimauma
Disasters that paid out in Wimauma itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wimauma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5,899 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Helene930 households applied for aid$598K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby151 households applied for aid$234K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia69 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,872 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,118 households applied for aid$311K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne456 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances66 households applied for aid$127K 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 Wimauma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wimauma archive →Wimauma and its neighbors
Wimauma 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balm | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wimauma | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sun City Center | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Wimauma 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 Wimauma
Is Wimauma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wimauma has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #174 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wimauma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wimauma since 2024, $27K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (2).
Is Wimauma 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 Wimauma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wimauma’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 Wimauma?
By FEMA money that reached Wimauma, Hurricane Milton (2024): 5,899 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Wimauma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Wimauma’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wimauma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wimauma’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.