Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Moore Haven faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moore Haven gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2005.
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 Moore Haven 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
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 Moore Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moore Haven, and Moore Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moore Haven’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Moore Haven: $723K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moore Haven flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moore Haven, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Fay4 claims · $22K
Moore Haven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Glades County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moore Haven
Disasters that paid out in Moore Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moore Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton121 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$46K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian421 households applied for aid$374K aid approved$83K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,084 households applied for aid$619K aid approved$263K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay124 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$23K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma933 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$193K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne334 households applied for aid$635K aid approved$33K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Frances137 households applied for aid$185K aid approved$20K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley28 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 1999Tropical Storm Irene - Florida$5K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs
Glades County has had 25 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 Glades County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Moore Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moore Haven archive →Get ready for what Moore Haven 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.
- 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 Moore Haven
Is Moore Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moore Haven has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moore Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Moore Haven since 2005, $32K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Fay (4).
Is Moore Haven 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 Glades County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moore Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moore Haven’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 Moore Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Moore Haven, Hurricane Wilma (2005): 933 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $193K to the City of Moore Haven for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Fay: 4 paid, $22K.
Is Moore Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Moore Haven’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moore Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moore Haven’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.