Lafayette County, Florida Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · FL
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Lafayette County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.9, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lafayette County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 15.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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.
Most of Lafayette County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $74K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $127K in expected annual loss and about 83.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lafayette 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Lafayette County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 17 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Milton (hurricane), declared in October 2024.
Among 67 Florida counties, Lafayette County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $74K |
| Lightning | Low | 83.32 / yr | $127K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.84 / yr | $92K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.37 / yr | $300K |
| Drought | Very Low | 15.74 / yr | $9K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $684 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $201K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $11 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $26K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.97 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Lafayette County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Severe Storm (6), Tropical Storm (4).
| 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 |
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| August 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| August 2023 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Idalia |
| December 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nicole |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lafayette County?
Lafayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lafayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $74K EAL), Lightning (Low, $127K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lafayette County compare to other Florida counties?
Lafayette County ranks #64 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lafayette County had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Lafayette County since 1973, most often 17 for hurricane events and 6 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. Lafayette County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.