More hazard damage per building is expected in Inwood than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Inwood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #132 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Inwood 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 Inwood’s grade
Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Inwood, and Inwood’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #132 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Inwood’s residents live in 3 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, Inwood has less expected damage per building than 79% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Inwood: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Inwood flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Inwood, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne2 claims · $101K
Inwood 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Inwood
Disasters that paid out in Inwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to Inwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1 households applied for aid$918 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 Inwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Inwood archive →Inwood and its neighbors
Inwood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inwood | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Winter Haven | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Jan Phyl Village | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Auburndale | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 8 |
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 Inwood 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 Inwood
Is Inwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Inwood has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #132 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Inwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Inwood since 2004, $101K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (2).
Is Inwood 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 Inwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Inwood’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 Inwood?
By FEMA money that reached Inwood, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $918 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 2 paid, $101K.
Is Inwood at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Inwood’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Inwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Inwood’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.