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

Hamilton County Disaster Risk

Hamilton County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hamilton County, Florida

Hamilton enjoys well-below-average risk

Hamilton County's composite risk score of 43.00 sits well below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The rural, inland North Florida location minimizes exposure to most major hazard types.

Among Florida's safest counties

Hamilton's score of 43.00 falls significantly below Florida's state average of 75.74, ranking it among the safer counties statewide. Limited coastal access and low population density buffer the county from concentrated disaster risk.

Safer than most North Florida peers

Hamilton's 43.00 score beats Gadsden County (72.39) and Franklin County (46.53), placing it among the safest in the Big Bend and North Florida region. Only Gilchrist County (27.96) ranks notably safer.

Wildfire and hurricane are main concerns

Wildfire risk of 69.27 leads Hamilton's hazard profile, while hurricane risk of 90.07 remains elevated despite inland location. Flood (25.89) and tornado (33.40) risks are well below state averages.

Emphasize wind coverage and wildfire

Hamilton residents should maintain homeowners insurance with wind damage coverage for hurricanes, given the 90.07 risk score. Wildfire insurance or rider coverage is prudent for properties near forested areas, though local risk remains moderate.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hamilton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hamilton County

Risk Verdict

Hamilton County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 43th percentile nationally is an advantage for Hamilton County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hamilton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (39th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flood (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Hamilton County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 90th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Wildfire at the 69th percentile nationally is Hamilton County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hamilton County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Florida county average exceeds Hamilton County's score by 32.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, FL?
Hamilton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 43th 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), wildfire (69th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flooding (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Hamilton County risk compare to the Florida average?
Hamilton County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hamilton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Hamilton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hamilton County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hamilton County is at the 26th 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 Hamilton County a safe place to live?
Hamilton County's composite risk score of 43th 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 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Calhoun County

Florida

+1.9

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Franklin County

Florida

+3.5

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Wakulla County

Florida

+3.7

Relatively Low

47th 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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