FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lakeside than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeside gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #140 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 164 claims here since 1984.
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 Lakeside’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lakeside faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Lakeside’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakeside, and Lakeside’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #140 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakeside’s residents live in 7 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, Lakeside has less expected damage per building than 78% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Lakeside: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakeside flood? Yes: 164 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakeside, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma84 claims · $5.4M
- Tropical Storm Fay11 claims · $99K
- Hurricane Jeanne8 claims · $53K
Lakeside isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lakeside
Disasters that paid out in Lakeside itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lakeside), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma3 households applied for aid$969 aid approved84 flood claims paid for it, $5.4M
Clay County has had 24 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clay County, 1999–2026.
Old photos of Lakeside after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakeside archive →Lakeside and its neighbors
Lakeside is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Park | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lakeside | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 164 |
| Fleming Island | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| Oakleaf Plantation | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Lakeside faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lakeside
Is Lakeside at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeside has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #140 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakeside flood?
Flood insurance has paid 164 claims in Lakeside since 1984, $6.7M in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (84).
Is Lakeside 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 Clay County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lakeside?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakeside’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 Lakeside?
By FEMA money that reached Lakeside, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3 households applied for aid, $969 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 84 paid, $5.4M.
Is Lakeside at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Lakeside’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakeside.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakeside’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.