FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lakewood Park than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #556 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2017.
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 Lakewood Park 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
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 Lakewood Park’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakewood Park, and Lakewood Park’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 15% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D #556 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakewood Park’s residents live in 5 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, Lakewood Park has more expected damage per building than 87% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Lakewood Park: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakewood Park flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakewood Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma6 claims · $199K
- Hurricane Milton2 claims · $116K
Lakewood Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Lucie County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lakewood Park
Disasters that paid out in Lakewood Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lakewood Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $199K
- 2004Hurricane Frances1 households applied for aid$306 aid approved
St. Lucie County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in St. Lucie County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Lakewood Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakewood Park archive →Lakewood Park and its neighbors
Lakewood Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Park | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 8 |
| Florida Ridge | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 57 |
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 Lakewood Park 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.
- 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 Lakewood Park
Is Lakewood Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood Park has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #556 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakewood Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Lakewood Park since 2017, $315K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (6).
Is Lakewood Park 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 St. Lucie County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lakewood Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakewood Park’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 Lakewood Park?
By FEMA money that reached Lakewood Park, Hurricane Irma (2017): 8 households applied for aid, $5K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 6 paid, $199K.
Is Lakewood Park at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Lakewood Park’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakewood Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakewood Park’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.