Volusia County, Florida Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · FL
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 96th
Volusia County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.2, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $196M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Volusia County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 96.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 96th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 74.86 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very High risk — $87M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $24M in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $196M in expected annual loss for a population of 552K.
Beyond physical exposure, Volusia County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Volusia County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 22 for hurricane events and 9 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Milton (hurricane), declared in October 2024.
Among 67 Florida counties, Volusia County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 74.86 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Very High | 0.26 / yr | $87M |
| Tornado | High | 0.84 / yr | $24M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 0.71 / yr | $67M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.09 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 2.06 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $634K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.06 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 2.02 / yr | $150K |
| Drought | Low | 16.19 / yr | $28K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Volusia County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (22), Severe Storm (9), Tropical Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Milton |
| October 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Milton |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| August 2023 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Idalia |
| December 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nicole |
| November 2022 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Nicole |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 44 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Volusia County?
Volusia County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.2 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Volusia County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $5M EAL), Hurricane (Very High, $87M EAL), Tornado (High, $24M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Volusia County compare to other Florida counties?
Volusia County ranks #14 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Volusia County had?
FEMA records 44 federal disaster declarations for Volusia County since 1977, most often 22 for hurricane events and 9 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. Volusia County's $196M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.