Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Fruitland Park’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fruitland Park gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #9 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (27%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Fruitland Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fruitland Park 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 Fruitland Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fruitland Park, and Fruitland Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #9 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fruitland Park’s residents live in 4 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, Fruitland Park has less expected damage per building than 99% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Fruitland Park: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fruitland Park flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fruitland Park. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fruitland Park 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fruitland Park
Disasters that paid out in Fruitland Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fruitland Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton911 households applied for aid$505K aid approved$83K to the City of Fruitland Park for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole17 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian269 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$32K to the City of Fruitland Park for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,428 households applied for aid$375K aid approved$392K to the City of Fruitland Park for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne237 households applied for aid$174K aid approved$22K to the City of Fruitland Park for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances264 households applied for aid$177K aid approved$121K to the City of Fruitland Park for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley18 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
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 Fruitland Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fruitland Park archive →Fruitland Park and its neighbors
Fruitland Park is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Fruitland Park 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 Fruitland Park
Is Fruitland Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fruitland Park has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #9 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fruitland Park 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 Fruitland Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fruitland Park’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 Fruitland Park?
By FEMA money that reached Fruitland Park, Hurricane Irma (2017): 1,428 households applied for aid, $375K approved, and $392K to the City of Fruitland Park for repairs.
Is Fruitland Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Fruitland Park’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fruitland Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fruitland Park’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.