Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Auburndale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburndale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #201 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2001.
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 Auburndale 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
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 Auburndale’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburndale, and Auburndale’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #201 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Auburndale’s residents live in 12 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, Auburndale has less expected damage per building than 69% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Auburndale: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburndale flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburndale, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne3 claims · $35K
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $8K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $44K
Auburndale 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Auburndale
Disasters that paid out in Auburndale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Auburndale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton3,367 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$355K to the City of Auburndale for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian3,086 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$539K to the City of Auburndale for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,363 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$686K to the City of Auburndale for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $44K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby36 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,671 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$311K to the City of Auburndale for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan32 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances865 households applied for aid$953K aid approved$109K to the City of Auburndale for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley863 households applied for aid$740K aid approved$140K to the City of Auburndale for repairs
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 Auburndale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburndale archive →Auburndale and its neighbors
Auburndale is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inwood | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Winter Haven | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Lake Alfred | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Auburndale | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 8 |
| Fussels Corner | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Polk City | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | — |
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 Auburndale 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.
- 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 Auburndale
Is Auburndale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburndale has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #201 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Auburndale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Auburndale since 2001, $103K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (3).
Is Auburndale 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 Auburndale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Auburndale’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 Auburndale?
By FEMA money that reached Auburndale, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 2,671 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $311K to the City of Auburndale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 3 paid, $35K.
Is Auburndale at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Auburndale’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburndale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburndale’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.