Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Winter Park’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Park gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #57 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1992.
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 Winter Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winter Park 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
Strong wind
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 Winter Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winter Park, and Winter Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #57 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winter Park’s residents live in 14 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, Winter Park has less expected damage per building than 91% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.8M a year in losses across Winter Park: $13.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winter Park flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winter Park, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian24 claims · $2.6M
- Hurricane Milton5 claims · $566K
- Hurricane Frances3 claims · $31K
Winter Park 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winter Park
Disasters that paid out in Winter Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winter Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,548 households applied for aid$521K aid approved$384K to the City of Winter Park for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $566K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$23K to the City of Winter Park for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian4,101 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Winter Park for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $2.6M
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,909 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$2.3M to the City of Winter Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew18 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$247K to the City of Winter Park for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay22 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$155K to the City of Winter Park for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,008 households applied for aid$923K aid approved$6.0M to the City of Winter Park for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,379 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$3.0M to the City of Winter Park for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley4,192 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$4.6M to the City of Winter Park for repairs
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 Winter Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winter Park archive →Winter Park and its neighbors
Winter Park is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Shores | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Eatonville | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Maitland | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Winter Park | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Orlando | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 312 |
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 Winter Park 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Winter Park
Is Winter Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Park has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #57 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winter Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Winter Park since 1992, $3.4M in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (24).
Is Winter Park 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 Winter Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winter Park’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 Winter Park?
By FEMA money that reached Winter Park, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 4,192 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $4.6M to the City of Winter Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 24 paid, $2.6M.
Is Winter Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Winter Park’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winter Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winter Park’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.