Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Frostproof faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frostproof gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #270 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (45%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Frostproof 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
Wildfire
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 Frostproof’s grade
Hurricanes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frostproof, and Frostproof’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #270 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frostproof’s residents live in 5 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, Frostproof has less expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Frostproof: $817K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frostproof flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frostproof, 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.
Frostproof 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Frostproof
Disasters that paid out in Frostproof itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Frostproof), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,399 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$68K to the City of Frostproof for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian899 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$422K to the City of Frostproof for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,167 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$210K to the City of Frostproof for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay32 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne826 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$39K to the City of Frostproof for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan18 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances418 households applied for aid$812K aid approved$19K to the City of Frostproof for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,679 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$468K to the City of Frostproof 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 Frostproof after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frostproof archive →Frostproof and its neighbors
Frostproof has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frostproof | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Babson Park | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hillcrest Heights | — | 377 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Frostproof 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.
- 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.
- 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 Frostproof
Is Frostproof at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frostproof has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #270 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (45%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frostproof flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Frostproof since 2005, $75K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Frostproof 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 Frostproof?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Frostproof’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 Frostproof?
By FEMA money that reached Frostproof, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 1,679 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $468K to the City of Frostproof for repairs.
Is Frostproof at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Frostproof’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frostproof.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frostproof’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.