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C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Kathleen · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in Kathleen than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kathleen gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #370 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.

River and rain flooding 45%Hurricanes 38%Strong wind 9%

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

more than 84%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#370 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
C−#370 of 638
in Florida · higher than 84% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
45% of expected building damage
Flood claims
4
paid since 1997 · $45K
Disasters paid out here
6
of 27 declared for Polk County
By hazard

What Kathleen 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

45%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Hurricanes

38%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 4 years in the area

Strong wind

9%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Wildfire Tornadoes Hail Earthquakes Cold waves Lightning Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingWinter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Kathleen’s grade

River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kathleen, and Kathleen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Kathleen sits
Kathleen
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #370 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Kathleen’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding45%Hurricanes38%Strong wind9%Everything else7%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Kathleen has more expected damage per building than 58% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Kathleen: $904K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Kathleen covers 4 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Kathleen flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kathleen, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1997: 1 claim1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 1 claim2005: 1 claim2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 1 claim2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199720042005
19972026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Milton1 claim · $10K
  • Hurricane Frances1 claim · $6K
4
paid claims since 1997
$45K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$11K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Kathleen 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.
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kathleen

Disasters that paid out in Kathleen itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kathleen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Milton129 households applied for aid$372K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
  2. 2022Hurricane Ian30 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
  3. 2017Hurricane Irma123 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
  4. 2004Hurricane Jeanne83 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
  5. 2004Hurricane Frances33 households applied for aid$54K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
  6. 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in KathleenPolk County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Kathleen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Kathleen archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Kathleen faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Kathleen

Is Kathleen at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kathleen has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #370 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Kathleen flood?

Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Kathleen since 1997, $45K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (1).

Is Kathleen 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 Kathleen?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kathleen’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 Kathleen?

By FEMA money that reached Kathleen, Hurricane Milton (2024): 129 households applied for aid, $372K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 1 paid, $10K.

Is Kathleen at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Kathleen’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kathleen.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kathleen’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.