Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Eustis than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eustis gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #13 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims 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 stands out about Eustis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eustis 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
Tornadoes
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 Eustis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eustis, and Eustis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #13 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eustis’ residents live in 9 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, Eustis has less expected damage per building than 98% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Eustis: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eustis flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eustis, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $55K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $3K
Eustis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eustis
Disasters that paid out in Eustis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eustis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton2,070 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$405K to the City of Eustis for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole45 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,111 households applied for aid$624K aid approved$66K to the City of Eustis for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,961 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$545K to the City of Eustis for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$23K to the City of Eustis for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay53 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$55K to the City of Eustis for repairs
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne804 households applied for aid$958K aid approved$71K to the City of Eustis for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances653 households applied for aid$597K aid approved$223K to the City of Eustis for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley105 households applied for aid$166K aid approved$24K to the City of Eustis for repairs
Lake County has had 24 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lake County, 2000–2007.
Old photos of Eustis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eustis archive →Eustis and its neighbors
Eustis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eustis | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mount Dora | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Tavares | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Eustis 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Eustis
Is Eustis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eustis has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #13 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eustis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Eustis since 2004, $115K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (2).
Is Eustis 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eustis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eustis’ 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 Eustis?
By FEMA money that reached Eustis, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4,961 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $545K to the City of Eustis for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 2 paid, $55K.
Is Eustis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Eustis’ rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eustis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eustis’ 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.