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

Flagler County Disaster Risk

Flagler County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Flagler County, Florida

Flagler faces above-average disaster risk

Flagler County's composite risk score of 82.76 places it well above the national average, marking it as a relatively moderate risk zone. This score reflects exposure to multiple hazards, particularly hurricanes and wildfires that threaten the region.

Higher risk than most Florida counties

With a score of 82.76, Flagler ranks among Florida's higher-risk counties compared to the state average of 75.74. The county's vulnerability stems from its coastal location and susceptibility to multiple concurrent hazards.

Riskier than nearby inland counties

Flagler's 82.76 score significantly exceeds neighboring inland counties like Volusia and St. Johns, driven by its exceptional hurricane risk of 94.95. Its wildfire risk of 88.17 also outpaces most central Florida neighbors.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate

Hurricane risk reaches 94.95 in Flagler—among the highest in the state—while wildfire risk of 88.17 threatens both structures and forests. Combined flood risk of 79.20 means coastal and low-lying areas face compounding storm surge and rainfall hazards.

Prioritize comprehensive hurricane coverage

Flagler residents should ensure robust homeowners insurance with separate windstorm/hurricane coverage, given the 94.95 hurricane risk score. Consider flood insurance as a critical supplement, especially within mapped flood zones, to protect against storm surge and heavy rainfall.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Flagler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    81th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Flagler County

Risk Verdict

Flagler County's overall risk score at the 83th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Flagler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (81th percentile), flood (79th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Flagler County ranks at the 95th 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. Wildfire at the 88th percentile nationally is Flagler County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Flagler 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

Compared to other Florida counties, Flagler County runs 7.0 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Flagler 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 Flagler County, FL?
Flagler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Flagler County?
Flagler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (95th percentile), wildfire (88th percentile), tornado (81th percentile), flooding (79th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 95th 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 Flagler County risk compare to the Florida average?
Flagler County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Flagler County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Flagler County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Flagler County's hurricane risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Flagler County is at the 79th 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.
Why is Flagler County higher risk than average?
Flagler County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Florida state average of 76th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.