riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Bradford County Disaster Risk

Bradford County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bradford County, Florida

Bradford County offers exceptional safety

Bradford County's composite risk score of 36.86 places it well below the U.S. average, earning a "Very Low" rating. This inland, northern location largely insulates the county from Florida's most severe coastal and tropical hazards.

Among Florida's safest counties

Bradford's score of 36.86 is less than half Florida's 75.74 state average, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. Only a handful of inland counties offer comparable safety to Bradford residents.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Bradford County (36.86) significantly outperforms neighboring Alachua (90.33) and Calhoun (44.94) counties. Its inland position provides protection that coastal neighbors cannot match, though it remains slightly riskier than Baker County (13.26).

Wildfire and hurricane remain minor concerns

Wildfire risk scores highest at 80.79, reflecting Florida's seasonal fire season, while hurricane risk (87.57) persists despite the county's distance from the coast. Both hazards remain modest threats compared to tornado risk (41.35) and other weather events.

Standard coverage addresses Bradford risks

Bradford County residents benefit from low overall risk; standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection. Adding wildfire coverage is prudent if your property borders forested areas, though flood insurance is usually unnecessary.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bradford County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Bradford County

Risk Verdict

At the 37th percentile nationally, Bradford County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 37th percentile nationally is an advantage for Bradford County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Bradford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile), flood (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bradford County ranks at the 88th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Bradford County's wildfire exposure at the 81th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in Bradford County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 38.9 points below the Florida state average puts Bradford County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Bradford County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bradford County, FL?
Bradford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Bradford County?
Bradford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile), flooding (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Bradford County risk compare to the Florida average?
Bradford County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bradford County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Bradford County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Bradford County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bradford County is at the 31th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Bradford County a safe place to live?
Bradford County's composite risk score of 37th percentile is below the Florida state average of 76th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 88th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.