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

Walton County Disaster Risk

Walton County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#33

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

68th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% 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 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Walton County, Florida

Walton faces above-average disaster risk

Walton County's composite risk score of 88.58 exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate rating. This reflects the county's exposure to multiple compounding hazards, particularly those driven by its prominent Gulf Coast location.

Among Florida's higher-risk counties

Walton County (88.58) significantly outpaces Florida's state average of 75.74, positioning it among the state's more vulnerable counties. The gap underscores how coastal geography and frequency of severe weather amplify disaster exposure in this region.

Riskiest of the three-county cluster

Walton County (88.58) faces substantially higher composite risk than nearby Wakulla County (46.69) and Washington County (59.45). Its elevated profile stems primarily from extreme hurricane exposure and high tornado risk, making it the most vulnerable to multiple simultaneous hazard types.

Hurricane threat towers above others

Walton County's hurricane risk score of 97.37 is the highest in its county cluster and reflects its prime location along the Emerald Coast. Tornadoes (85.62) and wildfire (75.67) rank second and third, creating overlapping seasonal dangers that compound during major weather systems.

Hurricane insurance is non-negotiable here

With a hurricane risk of 97.37, standard homeowners insurance may not provide sufficient wind coverage—review your policy's wind deductible immediately. Bundle flood insurance and consider windstorm coverage through your insurer or Florida's insurer of last resort, as Walton's exposure demands comprehensive protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Walton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    86th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Walton County

Risk Verdict

Walton County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Walton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (76th percentile), flood (68th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Walton County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 97th 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. Tornado at the 86th percentile nationally is Walton County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Walton 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

Walton County's composite risk score sits 12.8 points above the Florida county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Walton 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 Walton County, FL?
Walton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 Walton County?
Walton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (97th percentile), tornado (86th percentile), wildfire (76th percentile), flooding (68th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 97th 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 Walton County risk compare to the Florida average?
Walton County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Walton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Walton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Walton County's hurricane risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Walton County is at the 68th 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 Walton County higher risk than average?
Walton County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Florida state average of 76th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (97th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and flooding 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

Santa Rosa County

Florida

+0.4

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Hernando County

Florida

-0.6

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

Highlands County

Florida

+0.9

Relatively Moderate

89th 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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