Highlands County
Florida — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Highlands County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.4, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $47M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 0.57 / yr | $13M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.27 / yr | $16M |
| Lightning | High | 97.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $11M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.68 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 19.10 / yr | $365K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.21 / yr | $596K |
| Hail | Low | 1.34 / yr | $110K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $194 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| 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 Highlands County?
Highlands County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Highlands County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $13M EAL), Hurricane (High, $16M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Highlands County compare to other Florida counties?
Highlands County ranks #31 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Highlands County's $47M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.