Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Arcadia than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcadia gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #514 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1978.
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 Arcadia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arcadia 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
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 Arcadia’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arcadia, and Arcadia’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #514 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arcadia’s 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, Arcadia has more expected damage per building than 81% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Arcadia: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arcadia flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arcadia, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain6 claims · $157K
- The The ’No-Name Storm’5 claims · $49K
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $122K
Arcadia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeSoto County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arcadia
Disasters that paid out in Arcadia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arcadia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,739 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$42K to the City of Arcadia for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene156 households applied for aid$213K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian7,788 households applied for aid$24.3M aid approved$3.1M to the City of Arcadia for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $203K
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,384 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Arcadia for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $122K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$17K to the City of Arcadia for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne949 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Frances677 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley7,618 households applied for aid$16.8M aid approved$3.0M to the City of Arcadia for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$22K to the City of Arcadia for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
DeSoto 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in DeSoto County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Arcadia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arcadia archive →Arcadia and its neighbors
Arcadia has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 45 |
| Southeast Arcadia | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 4 |
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 Arcadia 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.
- 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 Arcadia
Is Arcadia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcadia has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #514 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arcadia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Arcadia since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (6).
Is Arcadia 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 DeSoto County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arcadia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arcadia’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 Arcadia?
By FEMA money that reached Arcadia, Hurricane Ian (2022): 7,788 households applied for aid, $24.3M approved, and $3.1M to the City of Arcadia for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 6 paid, $157K.
Is Arcadia at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Arcadia’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arcadia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arcadia’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.