DeSoto County
Florida — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
DeSoto County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.6, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.24 / yr | $17M |
| Lightning | High | 98.38 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $387K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $660K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.58 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 17.93 / yr | $269K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.61 / yr | $995K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.21 / yr | $200K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $63K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $20 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / 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 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for DeSoto County?
DeSoto County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeSoto County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $17M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $387K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeSoto County compare to other Florida counties?
DeSoto County ranks #38 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. DeSoto County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.