Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fort Denaud than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Denaud gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1992.
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 Fort Denaud 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
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 Fort Denaud’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Denaud, and Fort Denaud’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 26%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Denaud’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $925K a year in losses across Fort Denaud: $795K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Denaud flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Denaud, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma3 claims · $21K
- Tropical Storm Fay2 claims · $20K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $70K
Fort Denaud isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hendry County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Denaud
Disasters that paid out in Fort Denaud itself (aid to households or repair grants to Fort Denaud), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton9 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian63 households applied for aid$27K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $70K
- 2017Hurricane Irma99 households applied for aid$88K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $20K
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 Fort Denaud after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Denaud archive →Fort Denaud and its neighbors
Fort Denaud 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaBelle | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Fort Denaud | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Fort Denaud 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.
- 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 Fort Denaud
Is Fort Denaud at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Denaud has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Denaud flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Fort Denaud since 1992, $145K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (3).
Is Fort Denaud 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 Fort Denaud?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Denaud’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 Fort Denaud?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Denaud, Hurricane Irma (2017): 99 households applied for aid, $88K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 3 paid, $21K.
Is Fort Denaud at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Fort Denaud’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Denaud.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Denaud’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.