Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mount Plymouth than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Plymouth gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #91 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (20%). 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 Mount Plymouth 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
Wildfire
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 Plymouth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Plymouth, and Mount Plymouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 9%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #91 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Plymouth’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, Mount Plymouth has less expected damage per building than 86% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Mount Plymouth: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Plymouth flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mount Plymouth. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mount Plymouth 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 Mount Plymouth
Disasters that paid out in Mount Plymouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mount Plymouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton29 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma46 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances15 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Plymouth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Plymouth archive →Get ready for what Mount Plymouth 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.
- 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.
- 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 Plymouth
Is Mount Plymouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Plymouth has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #91 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Mount Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Plymouth’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 Plymouth?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Plymouth, Hurricane Frances (2004): 15 households applied for aid, $14K approved.
Is Mount Plymouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Mount Plymouth’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Plymouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Plymouth’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.