Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts LaBelle’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, LaBelle gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #431 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1982.
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 LaBelle 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
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 LaBelle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in LaBelle, and LaBelle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 29%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #431 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
LaBelle’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, LaBelle has more expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across LaBelle: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does LaBelle flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in LaBelle, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The The ’No-Name Storm’1 claim · $2K
LaBelle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hendry County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to LaBelle
Disasters that paid out in LaBelle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of LaBelle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton450 households applied for aid$100K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian2,436 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$417K to the City of LaBelle for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,724 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$241K to the City of LaBelle for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay103 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1,064 households applied for aid$692K aid approved$78K to the City of LaBelle for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne138 households applied for aid$162K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances58 households applied for aid$70K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley68 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
Hendry County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hendry County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of LaBelle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the LaBelle archive →LaBelle and its neighbors
LaBelle is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port LaBelle | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| LaBelle | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Fort Denaud | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 LaBelle 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.
- 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 LaBelle
Is LaBelle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, LaBelle has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #431 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does LaBelle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in LaBelle since 1982, $14K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from The 'No-Name Storm' (1).
Is LaBelle 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 Hendry County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in LaBelle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for LaBelle’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 LaBelle?
By FEMA money that reached LaBelle, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3,724 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $241K to the City of LaBelle for repairs. By flood claims, The 'No-Name Storm': 1 paid, $2K.
Is LaBelle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and LaBelle’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in LaBelle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where LaBelle’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.