John T. Chyphers House · Photo: Elkman · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lakeland faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 72 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 Lakeland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lakeland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Lakeland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakeland, and Lakeland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lakeland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $827K a year in losses across Lakeland: $612K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakeland flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakeland, from FEMA’s records: 94.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding13 claims · $191K
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $11K
Lakeland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lakeland
Disasters that paid out in Lakeland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lakeland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of Lakeland for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$6K to the City of Lakeland for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Washington County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Lakeland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakeland archive →Lakeland and its neighbors
Lakeland is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Troy | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| West Lakeland Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Afton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lake St. Croix Beach | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Lakeland | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Lakeland Shores | — | 344 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Lakeland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lakeland
Is Lakeland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeland has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakeland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Lakeland since 1979, $692K in all, or 94.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (13).
Is Lakeland 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 Washington County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lakeland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakeland’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 Lakeland?
By FEMA money that reached Lakeland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $21K to the City of Lakeland for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 13 paid, $191K.
Is Lakeland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Lakeland’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakeland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakeland’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.