Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Palatka

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Larimer Memorial LibraryLarimer Memorial Library · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0
CHazard risk
Natural hazards in Palatka · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Palatka faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palatka gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #179 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (55%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2001.

Hurricanes 55%River and rain flooding 39%Tornadoes 3%

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

more than 70%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#179 of 638 in Florida
Hazard risk
C#179 of 638
in Florida · higher than 70% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hurricanes
55% of expected building damage
Flood claims
7
paid since 2001 · $122K
Flooded more than once
1
properties
Disasters paid out here
15
of 26 declared for Putnam County
By hazard

What Palatka faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Hurricanes

55%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 4 years in the area

River and rain flooding

39%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Wildfire Earthquakes Strong wind Coastal flooding Lightning Cold waves Hail Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Winter stormsIce stormsAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Palatka’s grade

Hurricanes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palatka, and Palatka’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Palatka sits
Palatka
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C #179 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Palatka’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hurricanes55%River and rain flooding39%Tornadoes3%Everything else3%

The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Palatka has less expected damage per building than 72% of Florida towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Palatka: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA took 5,338 aid registrations from Palatka addresses (the town has 4,574 homes) and flood insurance paid 3 claims for $27K.
A small-area figure. Palatka covers 4 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Palatka flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2001

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palatka, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
2001: 3 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 1 claim2017: 3 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200120162017
20012026
Biggest named events
  • The Torrential rain3 claims · $66K
  • Hurricane Irma3 claims · $27K
  • Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $28K
7
paid claims since 2001
$122K
paid to owners
1
homes flooded more than once
$17K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Palatka isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Putnam County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
14buildings retrofitted against wind
1flood-prone property bought out and cleared
Disasters

15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palatka

Disasters that paid out in Palatka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palatka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Milton1,530 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$91K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  2. 2024Hurricane Helene569 households applied for aid$849K aid approved$46K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  3. 2023Hurricane Idalia$32K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  4. 2022Hurricane Nicole145 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$16K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  5. 2022Hurricane Ian2,180 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$163K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  6. 2019Hurricane Dorian$29K to the City of Palatka for repairs
Show all 15
  1. 2017Hurricane Irma5,338 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Palatka for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $27K
  2. 2016Hurricane Matthew712 households applied for aid$383K aid approved$143K to the City of Palatka for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $28K
  3. 2012Tropical Storm Debby$10K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  4. 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$3K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  5. 2008Tropical Storm Fay$54K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  6. 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,493 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$213K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  7. 2004Hurricane Frances2,135 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$149K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  8. 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$14K to the City of Palatka for repairs
  9. 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$5K to the City of Palatka for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in PalatkaPutnam County only

Putnam County has had 26 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 Putnam County, 1999–2026.

Were you here?

Old photos of Palatka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Palatka archive →
Next door

Palatka and its neighbors

Palatka has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.

East Palatka: hazard risk DEast PalatkaPalatka
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
PalatkaCmore damage than 70%hurricanes7
East PalatkaDmore damage than 86%river and rain flooding—

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Palatka faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Palatka

Is Palatka at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palatka has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #179 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (55%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Palatka flood?

Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Palatka since 2001, $122K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (3).

Is Palatka 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 Putnam County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Palatka?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palatka’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 Palatka?

By FEMA money that reached Palatka, Hurricane Irma (2017): 5,338 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $1.8M to the City of Palatka for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 3 paid, $66K.

Is Palatka at risk from hurricanes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Palatka’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palatka.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palatka’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.