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

Taylor County Disaster Risk

Taylor County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Taylor County, Florida

Taylor's risk is among Florida's lowest

Taylor County's composite risk score of 65.43 reflects a "Relatively Low" rating well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county experiences meaningful hurricane exposure but avoids the acute tornado and wildfire risks that burden other Florida regions.

Well below Florida's state average

At 65.43, Taylor's risk score sits well below Florida's 75.74 state average, placing it among the state's safest counties. Its low tornado risk of 37.15 and modest wildfire risk of 81.42 are substantial points of advantage.

Most favorable risk in regional group

Taylor's 65.43 score is markedly lower than Seminole (91.44), St. Johns (87.53), and Suwannee (71.34) counties, making it the safest county in its geographic cluster. Only Union County (10.88) presents meaningfully lower risk in northern Florida.

Hurricanes are primary Taylor concern

Hurricane risk reaches 92.70 in Taylor County, reflecting Gulf Coast exposure to Atlantic tropical cyclones and storm surge. Flooding is secondary but notable at 76.60, particularly in coastal and low-lying inland areas, while tornado risk is comparatively low at 37.15.

Hurricane coverage and flood insurance matter

Taylor residents should maintain homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane/wind coverage and obtain flood insurance if in a mapped coastal or flood-risk zone. The county's lower overall risk profile means standard precautions—roof maintenance, emergency supplies, evacuation planning—are typically sufficient.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Taylor County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    77th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Taylor County

Risk Verdict

Taylor County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 65th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Taylor County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Taylor County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (77th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Taylor County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 81th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Taylor County independent of hurricane season. For Taylor County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Taylor County is 10.3 composite risk points below the Florida state mean, meaning most other Florida counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Taylor 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 Taylor County, FL?
Taylor County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Taylor County?
Taylor County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th 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 Taylor County risk compare to the Florida average?
Taylor County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Taylor County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Taylor County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Taylor County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Taylor County is at the 77th 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 Taylor County a safe place to live?
Taylor County's composite risk score of 65th 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 93th 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.