More hazard damage per building is expected in Highland City than in 74% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #243 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (47%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2004.
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 Highland 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 Highland City’s grade
Hurricanes are 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland City, and Highland 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 #243 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland City’s residents live in 6 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, Highland City has less expected damage per building than 62% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Highland City: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland City flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highland City, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton4 claims · $323K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $12K
Highland 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highland City
Disasters that paid out in Highland City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Highland City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton26 households applied for aid$19K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $323K
- 2022Hurricane Ian40 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma95 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne68 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances16 households applied for aid$32K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley27 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
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 Highland City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland City archive →Highland City and its neighbors
Highland City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartow | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Highland City | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 5 |
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 Highland 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 Highland City
Is Highland City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland City has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #243 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (47%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highland City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Highland City since 2004, $334K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (4).
Is Highland 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 Highland City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland 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 Highland City?
By FEMA money that reached Highland City, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 68 households applied for aid, $82K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 4 paid, $323K.
Is Highland City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Highland City’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland 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.