Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Minneola faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minneola gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #42 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2004.
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 Minneola 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
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Minneola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minneola, and Minneola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #42 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Minneola’s residents live in 4 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, Minneola has less expected damage per building than 94% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Minneola: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minneola flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minneola, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $13K
Minneola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minneola
Disasters that paid out in Minneola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Minneola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton580 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$750K to the City of Minneola for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2022Hurricane Ian220 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$86K to the City of Minneola for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,066 households applied for aid$206K aid approved$47K to the City of Minneola for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$9K to the City of Minneola for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne50 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$22K to the City of Minneola for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2004Hurricane Frances45 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$77K to the City of Minneola for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $438
Lake 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lake County, 2000–2007.
Old photos of Minneola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minneola archive →Minneola and its neighbors
Minneola is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Minneola 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Minneola
Is Minneola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minneola has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #42 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Minneola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Minneola since 2004, $36K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (1).
Is Minneola 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minneola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minneola’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 Minneola?
By FEMA money that reached Minneola, Hurricane Milton (2024): 580 households applied for aid, $161K approved, and $750K to the City of Minneola for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Minneola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Minneola’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minneola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minneola’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.