Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lake Placid than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Placid gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #220 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (44%), then strong wind (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Placid faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
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 Placid’s grade
Hurricanes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Placid, and Lake Placid’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 30%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #220 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Placid’s residents live in 4 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 Placid has less expected damage per building than 66% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Lake Placid: $929K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Placid flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Placid, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $3K
Lake Placid isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Highlands County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Placid
Disasters that paid out in Lake Placid itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake Placid), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,943 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,889 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$119K to the Town of Lake Placid for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma4,862 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$156K to the Town of Lake Placid for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby34 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,795 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$67K to the Town of Lake Placid for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan25 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Frances498 households applied for aid$533K aid approved$5K to the Town of Lake Placid for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley947 households applied for aid$770K aid approved$44K to the Town of Lake Placid for repairs
Highlands County has had 25 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 Highlands County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Lake Placid after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Placid archive →Get ready for what Lake Placid 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Placid
Is Lake Placid at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Placid has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #220 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (44%) and strong wind (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Placid flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lake Placid since 2024, $3K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (1).
Is Lake Placid 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 Highlands County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Placid?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Placid’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 Placid?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Placid, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 1,795 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $67K to the Town of Lake Placid for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Lake Placid at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Lake Placid’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Placid.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Placid’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.