Palm Beach County
Florida — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 99th
Palm Beach County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 99.2, 99th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $519M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very High | 0.33 / yr | $287M |
| Lightning | Very High | 96.31 / yr | $9M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.07 / yr | $179M |
| Heat Wave | High | 4.67 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 17.38 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 1.53 / yr | $9M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 2.91 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | High | 0.98 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.97 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $10K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $173K |
| Hail | Low | 0.96 / yr | $176K |
| 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 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Palm Beach County?
Palm Beach County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 99.2 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 99th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Palm Beach County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very High, $287M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $9M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $179M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Palm Beach County compare to other Florida counties?
Palm Beach County ranks #3 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Palm Beach County's $519M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.