Brevard County Disaster Risk
Brevard County, Florida
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
98th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#8
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
95th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very High
Higher than 100% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Brevard County, Florida
Brevard faces severe, broad-spectrum risk
Brevard County's composite risk score of 98.41 ranks in the "Relatively High" category, placing it among America's highest-risk counties. This Space Coast location faces extreme exposure to hurricanes, flooding, and wildfire simultaneously.
Second-riskiest county in Florida
Brevard's 98.41 score exceeds Florida's 75.74 average by a dramatic margin, ranking it second only to Broward County (99.46). The county's long Atlantic coastline and dense urban population concentrate natural disaster exposure at exceptional levels.
Most extreme risk in its region
Brevard County (98.41) dwarfs the risk profiles of inland neighbors like Volusia (scores unavailable) and significantly exceeds most surrounding counties. Only its neighbor Broward approaches Brevard's extreme vulnerability to multiple hazard types.
Hurricanes lead, followed by wildfire and tornado
Hurricane risk peaks at 99.71—among the nation's highest—while wildfire (97.17) and tornado risk (95.29) round out a triple threat. Brevard residents face compounded exposure to all major wind and fire hazards across the calendar year.
Multilayered insurance is not optional
Brevard County residents must obtain homeowners insurance with maximum hurricane wind coverage and separate flood insurance—both are critical. Consider reinforcing your home's roof, garage doors, and windows, and maintain evacuation plans for hurricane season (June–November).
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Brevard County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Brevard County
Risk Verdict
Brevard County's composite risk score ranks at the 98th percentile nationally, reflecting genuine multi-hazard exposure for residents. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Brevard County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Brevard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (95th percentile), flood (95th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 100th percentile nationally, Brevard County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 97th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Brevard County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Brevard County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Florida county average is 22.7 composite points below Brevard County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Brevard County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Brevard County, FL?
What types of natural hazards affect Brevard County?
How does Brevard County risk compare to the Florida average?
Is Brevard County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Brevard County higher risk than average?
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.