Reid-Woods House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Whitfield’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitfield gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #498 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1981.
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 Whitfield 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 Whitfield’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitfield, and Whitfield’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
D #498 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whitfield’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, Whitfield has more expected damage per building than 78% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Whitfield: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitfield flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whitfield, from FEMA’s records: 28.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene32 claims · $5.2M
- Hurricane Hermine3 claims · $106K
- Hurricane Milton2 claims · $19K
Whitfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Manatee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Whitfield
Disasters that paid out in Whitfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to Whitfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Manatee County has had 37 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 Manatee County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Whitfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitfield archive →Whitfield and its neighbors
Whitfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayshore Gardens | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 10 |
| Whitfield | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 50 |
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 Whitfield 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 Whitfield
Is Whitfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitfield has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #498 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whitfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Whitfield since 1981, $5.5M in all, or 28.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (32).
Is Whitfield 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 Manatee County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Whitfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitfield’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 Whitfield?
By FEMA money that reached Whitfield, Hurricane Sally (2020): 1 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 32 paid, $5.2M.
Is Whitfield at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Whitfield’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitfield’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.