Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Lakeland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #152 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 85 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 Lakeland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lakeland 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 Lakeland’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakeland, and Lakeland’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #152 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakeland’s residents live in 42 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, Lakeland has less expected damage per building than 76% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lakeland has higher expected damage per building than 60% (#242 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $34.0M, is the 331th largest of those 400.
Does Lakeland flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakeland, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton47 claims · $5.5M
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $538K
- Hurricane Jeanne4 claims · $27K
Lakeland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Polk County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lakeland
Disasters that paid out in Lakeland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lakeland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton27,313 households applied for aid$30.8M aid approved$481K to the City of Lakeland for repairs47 flood claims paid for it, $5.5M
- 2024Hurricane Helene6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Nicole$194K to the City of Lakeland for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian18,857 households applied for aid$9.8M aid approved$9.8M to the City of Lakeland for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2017Hurricane Irma36,444 households applied for aid$15.5M aid approved$17.6M to the City of Lakeland for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $538K
Show all 12
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby141 households applied for aid$117K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma1 households applied for aid$55K to the City of Lakeland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne11,300 households applied for aid$11.5M aid approved$14.1M to the City of Lakeland for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan188 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances3,166 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$2.4M to the City of Lakeland for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $38K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,499 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Lakeland 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 Lakeland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakeland archive →Lakeland and its neighbors
Lakeland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | C+more damage than 58% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Lakeland | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Plant City | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 130 |
| Combee Settlement | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 13 |
| Lakeland Highlands | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Polk City | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | — |
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 Lakeland 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.
- Lakeland residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lakeland
Is Lakeland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeland has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #152 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakeland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Lakeland since 1979, $6.3M in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (47).
Is Lakeland 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 Lakeland?
Lakeland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lakeland?
By FEMA money that reached Lakeland, Hurricane Irma (2017): 36,444 households applied for aid, $15.5M approved, and $17.6M to the City of Lakeland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 47 paid, $5.5M.
Is Lakeland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Lakeland’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakeland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakeland’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.