Wakulla County Disaster Risk
Wakulla County, Florida
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
47th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#56
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
61th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Wakulla County, Florida
Wakulla's risk scores below national baseline
Wakulla County's composite risk score of 46.69 places it in the Relatively Low category, well below the national average. This means residents face fewer compounding natural hazard threats than most U.S. counties, though localized risks remain significant for specific hazard types.
Among Florida's safer counties
With a composite score of 46.69, Wakulla ranks as one of Florida's lower-risk counties compared to the state average of 75.74. However, this advantage is relative—Florida's vulnerability to coastal and severe weather hazards means even lower-scoring counties warrant preparedness planning.
Safer than coastal neighbors
Wakulla's risk profile (46.69) is significantly lower than nearby Walton County (88.58) and slightly below Washington County (59.45). The proximity to the Gulf Coast explains the elevated hurricane and wildfire risks in all three counties, but Wakulla's inland geography provides some protection.
Wildfire and hurricane dominate locally
Wakulla County's two highest risks are wildfire (84.48) and hurricane (84.48), both driven by the county's coastal pine forests and Gulf exposure. Flooding ranks third at 61.20, primarily affecting low-lying areas near the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers during heavy rainfall and storm surge events.
Prioritize hurricane and wildfire coverage
Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes wildfire and flood damage, leaving Wakulla residents exposed to two of the county's highest-scoring hazards. Consider a separate wildfire insurance policy and flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if your property is near the coast or in forested areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Wakulla County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Wakulla County
Risk Verdict
At the 47th percentile nationally, Wakulla County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. At the 47th percentile nationally, Wakulla County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Wakulla County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (61th percentile), tornado (51th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wakulla County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 84th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 84th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Wakulla County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Wakulla County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.
Regional Context
Compared to the Florida county average, Wakulla County's composite score runs 29.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Wakulla County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Wakulla County, FL?
What types of natural hazards affect Wakulla County?
How does Wakulla County risk compare to the Florida average?
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Is Wakulla 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.