Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Zolfo Springs than in 97% of U.S. towns, led by strong wind
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zolfo Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (40%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2001.
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 Zolfo Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
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 Zolfo Springs’ grade
Strong wind is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zolfo Springs, and Zolfo Springs’ rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 37%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zolfo Springs’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Zolfo Springs: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zolfo Springs flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zolfo Springs, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian4 claims · $410K
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $63K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $8K
Zolfo Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardee County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zolfo Springs
Disasters that paid out in Zolfo Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Zolfo Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton484 households applied for aid$453K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian903 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$211K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $410K
- 2017Hurricane Irma871 households applied for aid$980K aid approved$62K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $63K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma$7K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne313 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$6K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances235 households applied for aid$650K aid approved$13K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
Show all 9
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,338 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$626K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$15K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Hardee County has had 24 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 Hardee County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Zolfo Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zolfo Springs archive →Get ready for what Zolfo Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Zolfo Springs
Is Zolfo Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zolfo Springs has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (40%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zolfo Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Zolfo Springs since 2001, $490K in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (4).
Is Zolfo Springs 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 Hardee County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Zolfo Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zolfo Springs’ 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 Zolfo Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Zolfo Springs, Hurricane Ian (2022): 903 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $211K to the Town of Zolfo Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 4 paid, $410K.
Is Zolfo Springs at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Zolfo Springs’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zolfo Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zolfo Springs’ 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.