Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts Howey-in-the-Hills’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howey-in-the-Hills gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (17%). 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 Howey-in-the-Hills 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
Wildfire
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 Howey-in-the-Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Howey-in-the-Hills, and Howey-in-the-Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Howey-in-the-Hills’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $663K a year in losses across Howey-in-the-Hills: $410K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Howey-in-the-Hills flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Howey-in-the-Hills. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Howey-in-the-Hills 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Howey-in-the-Hills
Disasters that paid out in Howey-in-the-Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton330 households applied for aid$153K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Nicole3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian53 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$30K to the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma259 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$67K to the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$8K to the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne76 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$55K to the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances47 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$47K to the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley8 households applied for aid$5K 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 Howey-in-the-Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Howey-in-the-Hills archive →Howey-in-the-Hills and its neighbors
Howey-in-the-Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yalaha | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Howey-in-the-Hills | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Howey-in-the-Hills 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.
- 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.
- 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 Howey-in-the-Hills
Is Howey-in-the-Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howey-in-the-Hills has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Howey-in-the-Hills 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 Howey-in-the-Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Howey-in-the-Hills’ 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 Howey-in-the-Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Howey-in-the-Hills, Hurricane Milton (2024): 330 households applied for aid, $153K approved.
Is Howey-in-the-Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Howey-in-the-Hills’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Howey-in-the-Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Howey-in-the-Hills’ 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.