riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Okaloosa County Disaster Risk

Okaloosa County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

92th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Okaloosa County

Risk Verdict

Okaloosa County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Okaloosa County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 94th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (80th), wildfire (76th), earthquake (62th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Okaloosa County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Okaloosa County is significantly riskier than the average county in Florida. Its composite risk score is 16.7 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Okaloosa County, FL?
Okaloosa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 92th 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 Okaloosa County?
Okaloosa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (98th percentile), tornado (94th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), wildfire (76th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 98th 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 Okaloosa County risk compare to the Florida average?
Okaloosa County's composite risk percentile is 92th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Okaloosa County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Okaloosa County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Okaloosa County's hurricane risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Okaloosa County is at the 80th 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 Okaloosa County higher risk than average?
Okaloosa County's composite risk score of 92th percentile is above the Florida state average of 76th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (98th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and wildfire and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Osceola County

Florida

-0.5

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Lake County

Florida

-0.5

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Monroe County

Florida

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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