Alachua County
Florida — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Alachua County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.3, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $90M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 84.43 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.22 / yr | $34M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.52 / yr | $8M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $35M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.30 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.99 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $649K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 19.95 / yr | $77K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $474 |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $65K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Alachua County?
Alachua County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Alachua County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL), Hurricane (High, $34M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Alachua County compare to other Florida counties?
Alachua County ranks #30 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Alachua County's $90M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.