Suwannee County, Florida Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · FL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Suwannee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.3, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning 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 Suwannee County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 Suwannee County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $677K in expected annual loss and about 81.12 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $401K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Suwannee County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Suwannee County has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 19 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Milton (hurricane), declared in October 2024.
Among 67 Florida counties, Suwannee County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.22 / yr | $12M |
| Lightning | High | 81.12 / yr | $677K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $401K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.79 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.95 / yr | $444K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $172K |
| Drought | Low | 14.05 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.80 / yr | $155K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $67 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.12 / yr | $12K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Suwannee County has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (19), Severe Storm (7), 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 39 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Suwannee County?
Suwannee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Suwannee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $12M EAL), Lightning (High, $677K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $401K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Suwannee County compare to other Florida counties?
Suwannee County ranks #45 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Suwannee County had?
FEMA records 39 federal disaster declarations for Suwannee County since 1973, most often 19 for hurricane events and 7 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. Suwannee County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.