FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lake Magdalene than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Magdalene gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #133 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 134 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Lake Magdalene’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lake Magdalene 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
Tornadoes
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 Magdalene’s grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Magdalene, and Lake Magdalene’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
C #133 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Magdalene’s residents live in 9 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 Magdalene has less expected damage per building than 79% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Lake Magdalene: $7.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Magdalene flood? Yes: 134 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Magdalene, from FEMA’s records: 9.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton74 claims · $6.6M
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $72K
- Hurricane Frances4 claims · $82K
Lake Magdalene isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.The storms Lake Magdalene remembers
None of the 34 disasters declared for Hillsborough County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Lake Magdalene itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202475 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Hillsborough County
- 197911 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Hillsborough County
- 199710 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, High Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County has had 34 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Lake Magdalene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Magdalene archive →Lake Magdalene and its neighbors
Lake Magdalene is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 87 |
| Lake Magdalene | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 134 |
| Tampa | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 7,067 |
| Northdale | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 165 |
| Carrollwood | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 90 |
| Lutz | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 72 |
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 Magdalene 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.
- 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.
- 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 Magdalene
Is Lake Magdalene at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Magdalene has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #133 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Magdalene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 134 claims in Lake Magdalene since 1979, $7.5M in all, or 9.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (74).
Is Lake Magdalene 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 Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Magdalene?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Magdalene’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 Magdalene?
By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 74 paid, $6.6M.
Is Lake Magdalene at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Lake Magdalene’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Magdalene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Magdalene’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.