FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Alturas than in 79% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alturas gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #312 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (41%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1998.
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 Alturas 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
Wildfire
Strong wind
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 Alturas’ grade
Hurricanes are 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alturas, and Alturas’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #312 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alturas’ residents live in 5 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, Alturas has less expected damage per building than 51% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Alturas: $925K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alturas flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alturas, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian3 claims · $104K
- Hurricane Charley2 claims · $41K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $110K
Alturas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alturas
Disasters that paid out in Alturas itself (aid to households or repair grants to Alturas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $110K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne23 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances9 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley73 households applied for aid$145K aid approved
Polk County has had 27 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Polk County, 1999–2017.
Old photos of Alturas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alturas archive →Alturas and its neighbors
Alturas is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Haven | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Alturas | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 9 |
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 Alturas 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Alturas
Is Alturas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alturas has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #312 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (41%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alturas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Alturas since 1998, $267K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (3).
Is Alturas 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 Polk County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alturas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alturas’ 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 Alturas?
By FEMA money that reached Alturas, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 73 households applied for aid, $145K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 3 paid, $104K.
Is Alturas at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Alturas’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alturas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alturas’ 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.