Hardee County
Florida — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.