Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Polk City than in 77% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Polk City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #284 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (44%), then river and rain flooding (35%). 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 Polk City 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 Polk City’s grade
Hurricanes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Polk City, and Polk City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #284 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Polk City’s residents live in 4 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, Polk City has less expected damage per building than 56% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $692K a year in losses across Polk City: $577K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Polk City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Polk City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Polk City 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Polk City
Disasters that paid out in Polk City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Polk City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton1,058 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$98K to the Town of Polk City for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$11K to the Town of Polk City for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian793 households applied for aid$621K aid approved$79K to the Town of Polk City for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma1,975 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$65K to the Town of Polk City for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne874 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$22K to the Town of Polk City for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances298 households applied for aid$409K aid approved$3K to the Town of Polk City for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley219 households applied for aid$225K aid approved$29K to the Town of Polk City 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 Polk City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Polk City archive →Polk City and its neighbors
Polk City is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Auburndale | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 8 |
| Polk City | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | 0 |
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 Polk City 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 Polk City
Is Polk City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Polk City has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #284 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (44%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Polk City 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 Polk City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Polk City’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 Polk City?
By FEMA money that reached Polk City, Hurricane Milton (2024): 1,058 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $98K to the Town of Polk City for repairs.
Is Polk City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Polk City’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Polk City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Polk City’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.