FEMA puts Forest Heights’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Heights gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (28%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Forest Heights 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
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 Forest Heights’ grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Heights, and Forest Heights’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Heights’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $751K a year in losses across Forest Heights: $517K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Heights flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Forest Heights. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Forest Heights 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.The storms Forest Heights remembers
None of the 24 disasters declared for Orange County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Forest Heights itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Orange County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Get ready for what Forest Heights 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.
- 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 Forest Heights
Is Forest Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Heights has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Forest Heights 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, 29.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Heights’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Forest Heights at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Forest Heights’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Heights’ 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.