Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Winter Haven faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Haven gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #163 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Winter Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winter Haven 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
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 Winter Haven’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winter Haven, and Winter Haven’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #163 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winter Haven’s residents live in 22 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, Winter Haven has less expected damage per building than 75% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Winter Haven: $12.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winter Haven flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winter Haven, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Jeanne9 claims · $71K
- Hurricane Frances6 claims · $112K
- Hurricane Ian3 claims · $28K
Winter Haven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Polk County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winter Haven
Disasters that paid out in Winter Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winter Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton11,466 households applied for aid$5.6M aid approved$323K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian11,520 households applied for aid$7.5M aid approved$792K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 2017Hurricane Irma15,413 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$693K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby104 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay7 households applied for aid$576 aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$17K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne7,134 households applied for aid$9.9M aid approved$434K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $71K
- 2004Hurricane Frances2,860 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$196K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $112K
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley6,093 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$322K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs
- 1999Tropical Storm Irene - Florida$1K to the City of Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winter Haven archive →Winter Haven and its neighbors
Winter Haven is 3rd of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inwood | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Dundee | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Winter Haven | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | 29 |
| Lake Alfred | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Eagle Lake | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Jan Phyl Village | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Auburndale | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 8 |
| Lake Wales | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Cypress Gardens | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 16 |
| Wahneta | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 3 |
| Alturas | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 9 |
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 Winter Haven 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.
- 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.
- Winter Haven residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Winter Haven
Is Winter Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winter Haven has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #163 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winter Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Winter Haven since 1979, $341K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Jeanne (9).
Is Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven?
Winter Haven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Winter Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Winter Haven, Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 7,134 households applied for aid, $9.9M approved, and $434K to the City of Winter Haven for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Jeanne: 9 paid, $71K.
Is Winter Haven at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Winter Haven’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winter Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winter Haven’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.