Photo: Bleau420 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lutz than in 71% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lutz gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #191 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 72 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 Lutz’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lutz 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
Tornadoes
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 Lutz’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lutz, and Lutz’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C #191 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lutz’s residents live in 9 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, Lutz has less expected damage per building than 70% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Lutz: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lutz flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lutz, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton15 claims · $657K
- Hurricane Frances9 claims · $76K
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $176K
Lutz isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lutz
Disasters that paid out in Lutz itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lutz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,363 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $657K
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,303 households applied for aid$645K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby61 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia114 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,508 households applied for aid$392K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,406 households applied for aid$880K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $176K
Show all 11
- 2016Hurricane Hermine3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby40 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne288 households applied for aid$211K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2004Hurricane Frances282 households applied for aid$247K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $76K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Hillsborough County has had 34 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Lutz after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lutz archive →Lutz and its neighbors
Lutz is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheval | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 6 |
| University | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 87 |
| Lake Magdalene | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 134 |
| Tampa | Cmore damage than 67% | hurricanes | 7,067 |
| Land O' Lakes | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 76 |
| Lutz | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 72 |
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 Lutz 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Lutz
Is Lutz at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lutz has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #191 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lutz flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Lutz since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (15).
Is Lutz 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 Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lutz?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lutz’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 Lutz?
By FEMA money that reached Lutz, Hurricane Milton (2024): 8,363 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 15 paid, $657K.
Is Lutz at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lutz’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lutz.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lutz’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.