Photo: CKColerEL · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Eagle Lake faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Lake gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #191 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eagle Lake, and Eagle Lake’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 #191 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eagle Lake’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, Eagle Lake has less expected damage per building than 70% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $723K a year in losses across Eagle Lake: $610K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eagle Lake flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eagle Lake, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $23K
Eagle Lake 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eagle Lake
Disasters that paid out in Eagle Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eagle Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton515 households applied for aid$111K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian400 households applied for aid$285K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma505 households applied for aid$182K aid approved$31K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$1K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne240 households applied for aid$378K aid approved$42K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $23K
- 2004Hurricane Frances82 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$21K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley153 households applied for aid$125K aid approved$43K to the City of Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eagle Lake archive →Eagle Lake and its neighbors
Eagle Lake is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Haven | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Eagle Lake | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Wahneta | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 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 Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake
Is Eagle Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Lake has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #191 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 Eagle Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Eagle Lake since 2004, $23K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (1).
Is Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eagle Lake’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 Eagle Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Eagle Lake, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 240 households applied for aid, $378K approved, and $42K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 1 paid, $23K.
Is Eagle Lake at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Eagle Lake’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eagle Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eagle Lake’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.