Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Haines City than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haines City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #268 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (45%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1998.
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 Haines City 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
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 Haines City’s grade
Hurricanes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haines City, and Haines City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #268 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haines City’s residents live in 12 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, Haines City has less expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Haines City: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haines City flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haines City, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne4 claims · $54K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $16K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $26K
Haines City 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Haines City
Disasters that paid out in Haines City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Haines City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton7,110 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$185K to the City of Haines City for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian5,455 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$316K to the City of Haines City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $26K
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,742 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$688K to the City of Haines City for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby15 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,239 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$118K to the City of Haines City for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $54K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan31 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,047 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$53K to the City of Haines City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley3,534 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$412K to the City of Haines City 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 Haines City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haines City archive →Haines City and its neighbors
Haines City is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Alfred | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Lake Hamilton | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Haines City | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Davenport | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Grenelefe | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Haines City 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.
- 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 Haines City
Is Haines City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haines City has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #268 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 Haines City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Haines City since 1998, $165K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (4).
Is Haines City 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 Haines City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haines City’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 Haines City?
By FEMA money that reached Haines City, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 2,239 households applied for aid, $3.8M approved, and $118K to the City of Haines City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 4 paid, $54K.
Is Haines City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Haines City’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haines City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haines City’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.