Photo: Averette · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lake Wales faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Wales gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #208 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims 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 Wales 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 Wales’ grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Wales, and Lake Wales’ 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 #208 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Wales’ residents live in 10 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 Wales has less expected damage per building than 68% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Lake Wales: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Wales flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Wales, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $17K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $250K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $49K
Lake Wales 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Wales
Disasters that paid out in Lake Wales itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lake Wales), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4,244 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$207K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian3,357 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$279K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $49K
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,424 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$426K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay12 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$16K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$24K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne2,843 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved$129K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan61 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,648 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$66K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $17K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley7,931 households applied for aid$8.9M aid approved$544K to the City of Lake Wales 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 Wales after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Wales archive →Lake Wales and its neighbors
Lake Wales is 3rd 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 |
| Winter Haven | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Lake Wales | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Waverly | — | 187 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Highland Park | — | 282 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Wales 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 Wales
Is Lake Wales at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Wales has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #208 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Wales flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Lake Wales since 2004, $334K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (1).
Is Lake Wales 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 Wales?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Wales’ 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 Wales?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Wales, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley (2004): 7,931 households applied for aid, $8.9M approved, and $544K to the City of Lake Wales for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Lake Wales at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lake Wales’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Wales.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Wales’ 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.