Less hazard damage per building is expected in Freer than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freer gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
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 Freer 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
Hail
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 Freer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freer, and Freer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Freer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Freer: $564K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freer flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freer, 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.
Freer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Duval County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freer
Disasters that paid out in Freer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Freer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms46 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$4K to the City of Freer for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Freer for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Bret$7K to the City of Freer for repairs
Duval County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Freer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freer archive →Get ready for what Freer 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Freer
Is Freer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freer has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Freer since 2020, $42K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Freer 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 Duval County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Freer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freer’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 Freer?
By FEMA money that reached Freer, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 46 households applied for aid, $57K approved.
Is Freer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Freer’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freer’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.