Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Mount Dora as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Dora gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #18 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1995.
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 Mount Dora 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
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 Mount Dora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Dora, and Mount Dora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #18 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Dora’s residents live in 6 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, Mount Dora has less expected damage per building than 97% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Mount Dora: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Dora flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Dora, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Opal1 claim · $9K
- Tropical Storm Fay1 claim · $7K
Mount Dora 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Dora
Disasters that paid out in Mount Dora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Dora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,601 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$2.2M to the City of Mount Dora for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2022Hurricane Nicole22 households applied for aid$600 aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian862 households applied for aid$336K aid approved$1.3M to the City of Mount Dora for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,439 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Mount Dora for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$54K to the City of Mount Dora for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay13 households applied for aid$158 aid approved$39K to the City of Mount Dora for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne447 households applied for aid$620K aid approved$232K to the City of Mount Dora for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances380 households applied for aid$318K aid approved$522K to the City of Mount Dora for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley58 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$43K to the City of Mount Dora for repairs
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 Mount Dora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Dora archive →Mount Dora and its neighbors
Mount Dora is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eustis | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mount Dora | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Mount Dora 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.
- 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 Mount Dora
Is Mount Dora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Dora has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #18 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Dora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Mount Dora since 1995, $346K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (1).
Is Mount Dora 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 Mount Dora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Dora’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 Mount Dora?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Dora, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3,439 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Mount Dora for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Mount Dora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Mount Dora’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Dora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Dora’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.