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

Madison County Disaster Risk

Madison County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% 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 32% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Madison County, Florida

Madison County's risk remains below national average

Madison County's composite risk score of 47.42 with a 'Relatively Low' rating sits comfortably below the national average. The county's inland location and lower density provide natural buffers against several major hazard types.

Lower-risk inland Florida county

Madison County's score of 47.42 falls significantly below Florida's state average of 75.74, placing it among the safer Florida counties. This positioning reflects the county's inland geography and reduced exposure compared to coastal regions.

Safer than most regional peers

Madison County's 47.42 score substantially trails Lake County (91.92) and Levy County (66.09) but exceeds Liberty County (12.66) and Lafayette County (15.90). This placement reflects Madison's middle position among North Florida counties in terms of disaster exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires warrant attention

Madison County's hurricane risk of 90.57 and wildfire risk of 63.45 represent the county's primary hazard exposures. While tornado (38.20) and flood (33.33) risks remain moderate, hurricane season remains the critical preparedness period.

Hurricane insurance and basic preparations suffice

Madison County homeowners should maintain wind/hurricane insurance and undertake basic property hardening like roof reinforcement and clearing vegetation. The county's moderate overall risk profile makes standard comprehensive homeowners coverage combined with windstorm protection adequate for most properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Madison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Madison County

Risk Verdict

Madison County's FEMA risk score places it at the 47th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. Madison County's 47th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Madison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (38th percentile), flood (33th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 91th percentile nationally, Madison 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. Madison County's wildfire exposure at the 63th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Madison County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 28.3 points below the Florida state average, Madison County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Madison 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 Madison County, FL?
Madison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Madison County?
Madison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (91th percentile), wildfire (63th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), earthquake (32th 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 Madison County risk compare to the Florida average?
Madison County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Madison County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Madison County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Madison County's hurricane risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Madison County is at the 33th 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 Madison County a safe place to live?
Madison County's composite risk score of 47th 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

Glades County

Florida

+0.6

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Wakulla County

Florida

-0.7

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Franklin County

Florida

-0.9

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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