Hardee County, Florida Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · FL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Hardee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.2, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hardee County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Hardee County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.76 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $505K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hardee 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.
The federal record bears this out: Hardee County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 16 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Milton (hurricane), declared in October 2024.
Among 67 Florida counties, Hardee County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 0.76 / yr | $10M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $9M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $505K |
| Lightning | Medium | 97.45 / yr | $475K |
| Drought | Low | 16.68 / yr | $299K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.74 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.65 / yr | $860K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $154K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $115K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $10 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hardee County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), Severe Storm (5), Tropical Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Milton |
| October 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Milton |
| 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 |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hardee County?
Hardee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hardee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $10M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $9M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $505K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hardee County compare to other Florida counties?
Hardee County ranks #47 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hardee County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Hardee County since 1977, most often 16 for hurricane events and 5 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. Hardee County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.