Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5For wildfire, Groveland’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groveland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #108 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1984.
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 Groveland 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
Wildfire
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 Groveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Groveland, and Groveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #108 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Groveland’s residents live in 7 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, Groveland has less expected damage per building than 83% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Groveland: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Groveland flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Groveland, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma3 claims · $200K
- Hurricane Milton2 claims · $29K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $6K
Groveland 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 Groveland
Disasters that paid out in Groveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Groveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton2,528 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$329K to the City of Groveland for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole23 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian712 households applied for aid$256K aid approved$4K to the City of Groveland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2017Hurricane Irma2,174 households applied for aid$587K aid approved$155K to the City of Groveland for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $200K
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay4 households applied for aid$240 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne381 households applied for aid$669K aid approved$61K to the City of Groveland for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances270 households applied for aid$315K aid approved$621K to the City of Groveland for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley67 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$9K to the City of Groveland 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 Groveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Groveland archive →Groveland and its neighbors
Groveland is 4th of the 4 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 Groveland 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.
- 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.
- 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 Groveland
Is Groveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groveland has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #108 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Groveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Groveland since 1984, $278K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (3).
Is Groveland 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 Groveland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Groveland’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 Groveland?
By FEMA money that reached Groveland, Hurricane Milton (2024): 2,528 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $329K to the City of Groveland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 3 paid, $200K.
Is Groveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Groveland’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Groveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Groveland’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.