Dixie County, Florida Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · FL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Dixie County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.5, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Dixie County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 35.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year; coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.72 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $182K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dixie County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Dixie County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 22 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Milton (hurricane), declared in October 2024.
Among 67 Florida counties, Dixie County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $4M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.72 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $182K |
| Lightning | Medium | 85.03 / yr | $252K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.43 / yr | $160K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $329K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Drought | Very Low | 17.21 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.29 / yr | $184K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $51K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $8 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.91 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $773 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Dixie County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (22), Severe Storm (8), Tropical Storm (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Milton |
| October 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Milton |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| August 2023 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Idalia |
| December 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nicole |
| November 2022 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Nicole |
Showing the 10 most recent of 44 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dixie County?
Dixie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dixie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $182K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dixie County compare to other Florida counties?
Dixie County ranks #62 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dixie County had?
FEMA records 44 federal disaster declarations for Dixie County since 1972, most often 22 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Milton, declared in October 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Dixie County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.