Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lake Hamilton than in 74% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Hamilton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #249 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Lake Hamilton 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 Lake Hamilton’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Hamilton, and Lake Hamilton’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 #249 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Hamilton’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, Lake Hamilton has less expected damage per building than 61% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $524K a year in losses across Lake Hamilton: $444K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Hamilton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Hamilton, 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.
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $12K
Lake Hamilton 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 Lake Hamilton
Disasters that paid out in Lake Hamilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake Hamilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton156 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$132K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian101 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$72K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma251 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$20K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne119 households applied for aid$173K aid approved$23K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 2004Hurricane Frances49 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$8K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley237 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$77K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs
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 Lake Hamilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Hamilton archive →Lake Hamilton and its neighbors
Lake Hamilton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundee | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Lake Hamilton | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Haines City | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 12 |
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 Lake Hamilton 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 Lake Hamilton
Is Lake Hamilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Hamilton has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #249 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Hamilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lake Hamilton since 2004, $12K 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 Jeanne (1).
Is Lake Hamilton 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 Lake Hamilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Hamilton’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 Lake Hamilton?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Hamilton, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 237 households applied for aid, $187K approved, and $77K to the Town of Lake Hamilton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Lake Hamilton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Lake Hamilton’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Hamilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Hamilton’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.