Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Babson Park’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Babson Park gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (38%). 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 Babson Park 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
Strong wind
Wildfire
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 Babson Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Babson Park, and Babson Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Babson Park’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $628K a year in losses across Babson Park: $405K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Babson Park flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Babson Park. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Babson Park 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Babson Park
Disasters that paid out in Babson Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to Babson Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton211 households applied for aid$118K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian138 households applied for aid$104K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma520 households applied for aid$279K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne193 households applied for aid$391K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances133 households applied for aid$202K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley538 households applied for aid$552K 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 Babson Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Babson Park archive →Babson Park and its neighbors
Babson Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frostproof | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Babson Park | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hillcrest Heights | — | 377 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Babson Park 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Babson Park
Is Babson Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Babson Park has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Babson Park 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 Babson Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Babson Park’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 Babson Park?
By FEMA money that reached Babson Park, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 538 households applied for aid, $552K approved.
Is Babson Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Babson Park’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Babson Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Babson Park’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.