Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in Bartow than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartow gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #225 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (47%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1995.
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 Bartow 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 Bartow’s grade
Hurricanes are 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bartow, and Bartow’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #225 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bartow’s residents live in 10 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, Bartow has less expected damage per building than 65% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Bartow: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bartow flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bartow, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $85K
- Hurricane Ian2 claims · $145K
Bartow 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bartow
Disasters that paid out in Bartow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bartow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton3,315 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$2.7M to the City of Bartow for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian3,393 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$4.7M to the City of Bartow for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $145K
- 2017Hurricane Irma5,266 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$4.2M to the City of Bartow for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby12 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$15K to the City of Bartow for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,806 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$751K to the City of Bartow for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan27 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances817 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$491K to the City of Bartow for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $85K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,877 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Bartow 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 Bartow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bartow archive →Bartow and its neighbors
Bartow 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartow | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Highland City | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Homeland | — | 363 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 Bartow 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 Bartow
Is Bartow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartow has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #225 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (47%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bartow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Bartow since 1995, $232K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (2).
Is Bartow 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 Bartow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bartow’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 Bartow?
By FEMA money that reached Bartow, Hurricane Ian (2022): 3,393 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $4.7M to the City of Bartow for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 2 paid, $85K.
Is Bartow at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Bartow’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bartow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bartow’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.