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

Gulf County Disaster Risk

Gulf County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Gulf County, Florida

Gulf County faces moderate-low risk

Gulf County's composite risk score of 59.54 sits below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The coastal location brings hurricane and flood exposure, but tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal.

Below-average risk for coastal Florida

Gulf County's score of 59.54 falls notably below Florida's state average of 75.74, making it one of the safer coastal counties in the state. The Panhandle location provides some geographic buffering from peak hurricane tracks.

Safer than Panhandle peer Franklin

Gulf County's 59.54 score slightly exceeds Franklin County (46.53) while remaining well below Gadsden County (72.39), positioning it in the middle of the regional risk spectrum. Its small population and rural character contribute to the favorable profile.

Hurricanes and flood are primary threats

Hurricane risk of 93.41 is Gulf County's dominant hazard, paired with flood risk of 61.60 reflecting coastal and low-lying exposure. Wildfire risk of 74.20 adds a secondary threat, particularly in forested inland areas.

Secure comprehensive coastal insurance

Gulf residents must prioritize windstorm/hurricane coverage given the 93.41 risk score—essential for coastal and near-coastal properties. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for any property in mapped flood zones or near tidal waters.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Gulf County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    62th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Gulf County

Risk Verdict

At the 60th percentile nationally, Gulf County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Gulf County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Gulf County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (62th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Gulf County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 93th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 74th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Gulf County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Gulf County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Florida county average, Gulf County's composite score runs 16.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Gulf 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 Gulf County, FL?
Gulf County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Gulf County?
Gulf County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), wildfire (74th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th 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 Gulf County risk compare to the Florida average?
Gulf County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Gulf County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Gulf County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Gulf County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Gulf County is at the 62th 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 Gulf County a safe place to live?
Gulf County's composite risk score of 60th 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 93th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Washington County

Florida

-0.1

Relatively Low

59th percentile

Nassau County

Florida

-0.2

Relatively Low

59th percentile

Taylor County

Florida

+5.9

Relatively Low

65th percentile

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.

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