Walton County
Florida — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Walton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.6, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $68M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.24 / yr | $47M |
| Lightning | High | 83.28 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $255K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.03 / yr | $808K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $11M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 2.06 / yr | $605K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.89 / yr | $947K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $209K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $897 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.63 / yr | $377K |
| Drought | Very Low | 20.61 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $19K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $48K |
| Avalanche | 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 Walton County?
Walton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Walton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $47M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Walton County compare to other Florida counties?
Walton County ranks #33 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. Walton County's $68M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.