Nassau County Disaster Risk
Nassau County, Florida
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#52
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
76th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 54% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Nassau County, Florida
Nassau has Florida's lowest risk
Nassau County scores 59.32 on composite disaster risk, earning a relatively low rating and placing it below the national average. This makes Nassau one of Florida's safest counties and substantially safer than most American counties. The low score reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types, with no single extreme threat.
Ranks lowest among Florida counties
Nassau's 59.32 composite score is the lowest in Florida, sitting 16.4 points below the state average of 75.74. The county's relative safety makes it a statistical outlier statewide—residents here face measurably lower disaster risk than nearly all other Floridians. Nassau's northern geography and smaller population both contribute to lower overall exposure.
Clearly safer than regional peers
Nassau County's 59.32 score is substantially lower than nearby Duval (80+) and Baker counties, reflecting its northern location away from major coastal and urban development. While still subject to Florida hurricanes and wildfires, Nassau's exposure is more moderate than the state norm. The county represents a genuinely lower-risk option within the state's northern region.
Wildfire and hurricane are main concerns
Nassau County's highest risks are wildfire at 86.51 and hurricane at 88.36, both substantial but below statewide averages in those categories. Flood risk of 75.80 and tornado risk of 53.63 remain moderate. While no hazard is extreme in Nassau, wildfire and hurricane preparedness should still be priorities given Florida's exposure.
Standard coverage suffices for most
Nassau County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage, and verify flood insurance needs based on specific property location. The county's below-average risk makes specialized hazard insurance less critical than in coastal counties, but rural properties should assess wildfire exposure. Regular maintenance and a storm preparedness plan remain essential.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Nassau County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Nassau County
Risk Verdict
Nassau County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Nassau County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Nassau County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (76th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), tornado (54th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Nassau County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 88th 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 87th percentile nationally is Nassau County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Nassau 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 Nassau County's score by 16.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Nassau County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Nassau County, FL?
What types of natural hazards affect Nassau County?
How does Nassau County risk compare to the Florida average?
Is Nassau County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Nassau County a safe place to live?
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.