More hazard damage per building is expected in Southeast Arcadia than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southeast Arcadia gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #551 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1998.
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 Southeast Arcadia 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
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 Southeast Arcadia’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southeast Arcadia, and Southeast Arcadia’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #551 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southeast Arcadia’s residents live in 3 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, Southeast Arcadia has more expected damage per building than 86% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Southeast Arcadia: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southeast Arcadia flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southeast Arcadia, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $5K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $31K
Southeast Arcadia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeSoto County.The storms Southeast Arcadia remembers
None of the 27 disasters declared for DeSoto County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Southeast Arcadia itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19981 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Grorges, declared for DeSoto County
- 20011 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle, declared for DeSoto County
- 20171 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for DeSoto County
DeSoto 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in DeSoto County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Southeast Arcadia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southeast Arcadia archive →Southeast Arcadia and its neighbors
Southeast Arcadia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 45 |
| Southeast Arcadia | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 4 |
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 Southeast Arcadia 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.
- 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 Southeast Arcadia
Is Southeast Arcadia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southeast Arcadia has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #551 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southeast Arcadia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Southeast Arcadia since 1998, $55K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (1).
Is Southeast Arcadia 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 DeSoto County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southeast Arcadia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southeast Arcadia’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 Southeast Arcadia?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Southeast Arcadia at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Southeast Arcadia’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southeast Arcadia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southeast Arcadia’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.