Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Winter Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #218 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1995.
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 Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winter Springs 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 Winter Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winter Springs, and Winter Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C #218 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winter Springs’ residents live in 7 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 Springs has less expected damage per building than 66% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.0M a year in losses across Winter Springs: $8.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winter Springs flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winter Springs, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian52 claims · $3.9M
- Hurricane Irma15 claims · $692K
- Tropical Storm Fay7 claims · $115K
Winter Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Seminole County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winter Springs
Disasters that paid out in Winter Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winter Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,811 households applied for aid$241K aid approved$523K to the City of Winter Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian2,674 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$2.7M to the City of Winter Springs for repairs52 flood claims paid for it, $3.9M
- 2017Hurricane Irma5,352 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Winter Springs for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $692K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew50 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$143K to the City of Winter Springs for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay50 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$251K to the City of Winter Springs for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $115K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne612 households applied for aid$243K aid approved$77K to the City of Winter Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan17 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,028 households applied for aid$624K aid approved$203K to the City of Winter Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley2,212 households applied for aid$841K aid approved$6.5M to the City of Winter Springs for repairs
Seminole County has had 25 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Seminole County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Winter Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winter Springs archive →Winter Springs and its neighbors
Winter Springs is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Oviedo | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Casselberry | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Black Hammock | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Winter Springs | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
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 Springs 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.
- Winter Springs residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Winter Springs
Is Winter Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Springs has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #218 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winter Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Winter Springs since 1995, $4.8M in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (52).
Is Winter Springs 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 Seminole County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winter Springs?
Winter Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Winter Springs, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 2,212 households applied for aid, $841K approved, and $6.5M to the City of Winter Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 52 paid, $3.9M.
Is Winter Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Winter Springs’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winter Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winter Springs’ 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.