More hazard damage per building is expected in Loughman than in 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loughman gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #340 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (40%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Loughman 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
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 Loughman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Loughman, and Loughman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 40%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #340 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Loughman’s residents live in 2 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, Loughman has more expected damage per building than 53% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Loughman: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Loughman flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Loughman. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Loughman 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Loughman
Disasters that paid out in Loughman itself (aid to households or repair grants to Loughman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton5 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian7 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma30 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne32 households applied for aid$86K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances23 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley53 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
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 Loughman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Loughman archive →Get ready for what Loughman 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.
- 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 Loughman
Is Loughman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loughman has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #340 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Loughman 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 Loughman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Loughman’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 Loughman?
By FEMA money that reached Loughman, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 32 households applied for aid, $86K approved.
Is Loughman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Loughman’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Loughman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Loughman’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.