Photo: Louisholstein · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mulberry than in 74% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mulberry gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #244 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2002.
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 Mulberry 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
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 Mulberry’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mulberry, and Mulberry’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #244 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mulberry’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, Mulberry has less expected damage per building than 62% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Mulberry: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mulberry flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mulberry, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $6K
Mulberry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mulberry
Disasters that paid out in Mulberry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mulberry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton3,947 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$33K to the City of Mulberry for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian2,268 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$145K to the City of Mulberry for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,911 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$94K to the City of Mulberry for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby12 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$6K to the City of Mulberry for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,205 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$44K to the City of Mulberry for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan21 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances372 households applied for aid$365K aid approved$25K to the City of Mulberry for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley192 households applied for aid$216K aid approved$6K to the City of Mulberry for repairs
Polk County has had 27 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Polk County, 1999–2017.
Old photos of Mulberry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mulberry archive →Mulberry and its neighbors
Mulberry has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Lakeland Highlands | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Fuller Heights | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Willow Oak | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 8 |
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 Mulberry 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.
- 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 Mulberry
Is Mulberry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mulberry has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #244 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mulberry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Mulberry since 2002, $12K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (1).
Is Mulberry 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 Polk County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mulberry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mulberry’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 Mulberry?
By FEMA money that reached Mulberry, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3,911 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $94K to the City of Mulberry for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Mulberry at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Mulberry’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mulberry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mulberry’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.