Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Davenport faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Davenport gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #358 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then hurricanes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Davenport 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 Davenport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Davenport, and Davenport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 39%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #358 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Davenport’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, Davenport has more expected damage per building than 56% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Davenport: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Davenport flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Davenport, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Low pressure system1 claim · $2K
Davenport 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 Davenport
Disasters that paid out in Davenport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Davenport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5,969 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$191K to the City of Davenport for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian6,829 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$187K to the City of Davenport for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,414 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$67K to the City of Davenport for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby11 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,143 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$12K to the City of Davenport for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances631 households applied for aid$689K aid approved$8K to the City of Davenport for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,371 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$48K to the City of Davenport 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 Davenport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Davenport archive →Davenport and its neighbors
Davenport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haines City | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Davenport | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Davenport 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 Davenport
Is Davenport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Davenport has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #358 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and hurricanes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Davenport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Davenport since 1998, $3K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Low pressure system (1).
Is Davenport 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 Davenport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Davenport’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 Davenport?
By FEMA money that reached Davenport, Hurricane Ian (2022): 6,829 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $187K to the City of Davenport for repairs. By flood claims, Low pressure system: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Davenport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Davenport’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Davenport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Davenport’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.