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

Hardee County Disaster Risk

Hardee County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

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

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hardee County, Florida

Hardee County sits below national average

Hardee County's composite risk score of 69.18 falls below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The inland South Florida location provides protection from extreme coastal hazards, though hurricane exposure remains meaningful.

Below Florida's state average risk

Hardee's score of 69.18 sits below Florida's state average of 75.74, positioning it among the safer counties in the state. The agricultural inland character limits flood and tornado exposure compared to coastal peers.

Riskier than nearby Glades County

Hardee's 69.18 score exceeds nearby Glades County (48.03) while remaining below Polk and Highlands counties, reflecting its mid-range position in Central Florida. The county sits between coastal and interior risk zones.

Wildfires and hurricanes lead threats

Wildfire risk of 82.89 is Hardee's highest hazard, driven by agricultural burning and forested areas, while hurricane risk of 91.36 remains substantial. Tornado risk of 42.49 and flood risk of 26.37 lag well behind these primary concerns.

Balance wildfire and hurricane coverage

Hardee residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with strong wind coverage for hurricanes, given the 91.36 risk score. Wildfire coverage through riders or supplemental policies is equally important for protecting structures in agricultural and forested zones.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hardee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hardee County

Risk Verdict

Hardee County ranks at the 69th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hardee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (42th percentile), flood (26th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hardee County ranks at the 91th 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. Hardee County's wildfire exposure at the 83th 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 Hardee 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 6.6 points below the Florida state average puts Hardee County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Hardee 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 Hardee County, FL?
Hardee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Hardee County?
Hardee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (91th percentile), wildfire (83th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 91th 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 Hardee County risk compare to the Florida average?
Hardee County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hardee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Hardee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hardee County's hurricane risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hardee 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 Hardee County a safe place to live?
Hardee County's composite risk score of 69th 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 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Columbia County

Florida

+0.5

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Suwannee County

Florida

+2.2

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Levy County

Florida

-3.1

Relatively Low

66th 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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