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

Liberty County Disaster Risk

Liberty County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

29th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% 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 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Liberty County, Florida

Liberty ranks among safest U.S. counties

Liberty County's composite risk score of 12.66 with a 'Very Low' rating places it among the nation's most disaster-resilient counties. The exceptionally low score reflects minimal exposure to earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods across most of the county.

Florida's second-safest county

Liberty County's score of 12.66 trails only Lafayette County (15.90) among Florida's 67 counties, placing it firmly in the state's safety tier. With a score less than one-sixth of Florida's state average (75.74), Liberty residents enjoy exceptional natural disaster protection.

Notably safer than surrounding northern Florida

Liberty County's 12.66 score substantially outpaces neighboring Madison (47.42) and Levy (66.09), reflecting its inland, rural geography. This geographic advantage places Liberty in an exceptional risk class compared to coastal and more densely populated Florida regions.

Hurricane risk remains the primary concern

Despite overall low risk, Liberty County's hurricane risk score of 82.06 indicates that tropical storms still pose a genuine threat to residents. While tornadoes (28.31) and floods (28.60) remain relatively unlikely, hurricane season preparedness remains important.

Hurricane coverage is the main insurance priority

Liberty County homeowners should ensure comprehensive hurricane and wind insurance to address the county's primary seasonal hazard. Basic homeowners policies combined with windstorm coverage provide adequate protection given Liberty's exceptionally favorable overall risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Liberty County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    29th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Liberty County

Risk Verdict

At the 13th percentile nationally, Liberty County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 13th percentile, Liberty County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Liberty County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (29th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Liberty County ranks at the 82th 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 69th percentile nationally is Liberty County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Liberty 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 63.1 points below the Florida state average puts Liberty County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Liberty 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 Liberty County, FL?
Liberty County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Liberty County?
Liberty County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (82th percentile), wildfire (69th percentile), flooding (29th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 82th 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 Liberty County risk compare to the Florida average?
Liberty County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Liberty County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Liberty County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Liberty County's hurricane risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Liberty County is at the 29th 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 Liberty County a safe place to live?
Liberty County's composite risk score of 13th 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 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.