Clewiston Inn · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Clewiston than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clewiston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #166 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 stands out about Clewiston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clewiston 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 Clewiston’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clewiston, and Clewiston’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #166 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clewiston’s residents live in 3 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, Clewiston has less expected damage per building than 74% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Clewiston: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clewiston flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clewiston, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $104K
- Tropical Storm Mitch1 claim · $895
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $6K
Clewiston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hendry County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clewiston
Disasters that paid out in Clewiston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clewiston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton524 households applied for aid$454K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,626 households applied for aid$683K aid approved$278K to the City of Clewiston for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,416 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$462K to the City of Clewiston for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $104K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay352 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$22K to the City of Clewiston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma3,816 households applied for aid$7.0M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Clewiston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,349 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$83K to the City of Clewiston for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Frances818 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$199K to the City of Clewiston for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley131 households applied for aid$220K aid approved$4K to the City of Clewiston for repairs
- 1999Tropical Storm Irene - Florida$20K to the City of Clewiston for repairs
- 35 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Hendry County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hendry County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Clewiston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clewiston archive →Get ready for what Clewiston 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.
- Clewiston residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clewiston
Is Clewiston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clewiston has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #166 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clewiston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Clewiston since 1998, $278K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (4).
Is Clewiston 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 Hendry County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clewiston?
Clewiston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Clewiston?
By FEMA money that reached Clewiston, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 3,816 households applied for aid, $7.0M approved, and $1.5M to the City of Clewiston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 4 paid, $104K.
Is Clewiston at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Clewiston’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clewiston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clewiston’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.