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

Hendry County Disaster Risk

Hendry County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

79th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% 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 94% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hendry County, Florida

Hendry sits slightly above national average

Hendry County's composite risk score of 78.66 places it in the Relatively Low category, just above the typical U.S. county profile. This score reflects a county where natural hazard exposure is present but manageable compared to the nation's highest-risk communities.

Mid-range risk among Florida counties

At 78.66, Hendry County ranks in the middle band of Florida's 67 counties, scoring slightly above the state average of 75.74. This positions Hendry as a moderate concern within Florida's higher-risk coastal and storm-prone landscape.

Lower risk than nearby Collier, higher than Jackson

Hendry County's 78.66 score sits between Jackson County (75.70) to the north and comparably risky peers. The county faces notably lower overall risk than coastal neighbors like Collier County, reflecting its more inland position and reduced hurricane surge exposure.

Hurricane and wildfire dominate your risk

Hurricanes (94.24) and wildfires (93.29) are Hendry's primary threats, both scoring in the high 90s and significantly outpacing tornado risk (37.60). These two hazards should anchor your emergency preparedness plan and home hardening decisions.

Prioritize wind and fire insurance now

With hurricane and wildfire risks both exceeding 93, ensure your homeowner's policy includes robust wind coverage and consider a separate wildfire policy if available. Verify flood coverage separately, as standard policies exclude it—particularly important in Hendry's flood-prone areas where risk scores reach 64.34.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hendry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    64th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hendry County

Risk Verdict

Hendry County's FEMA risk score places it at the 79th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Hendry County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hendry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (64th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 94th percentile nationally, Hendry 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 93th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Hendry 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. Hendry County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

Hendry County sits within 2.9 composite points of the Florida state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.

Is your household prepared for Hendry 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 Hendry County, FL?
Hendry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 79th 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 Hendry County?
Hendry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (94th percentile), wildfire (93th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 94th 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 Hendry County risk compare to the Florida average?
Hendry County's composite risk percentile is 79th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hendry County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Hendry County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hendry County's hurricane risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hendry County is at the 64th 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 Hendry County higher risk than average?
Hendry County's composite risk score of 79th percentile is above the Florida state average of 76th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (94th percentile), along with wildfire 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.