HazardFacts

All states › Florida › Levy County

Natural hazard risk in Levy County, Florida

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 66.0 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$15.3 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1972
43[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$55.3 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
23[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall natural hazard risk in Levy County as Relatively Low, with a score of 66.0 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within this county are hurricane, lightning and wildfire[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) estimates $15.3 million a year in Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Levy County[1]. FEMA lists the largest parts as hurricane at $6.2 million a year, inland flooding at $4.1 million a year and cold wave at $1.2 million a year[7]. Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss. FEMA says the index is not meant to predict next year's damage[8]. FEMA rates social vulnerability as Very High compared with other US counties[9]. FEMA describes this as how susceptible social groups are to harm from natural hazards[9]. FEMA rates community resilience as Very Low compared with other US counties[10]. FEMA describes this as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$6.2 million[11]
LightningRelatively High$749,000[12]
WildfireRelatively Low$552,000[13]
Coastal FloodingRelatively Moderate$792,000[14]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$1.2 million[15]
TornadoRelatively Low$1.0 million[16]
Heat WaveRelatively Low$259,000[17]
Inland FloodingRelatively Low$4.1 million[18]
DroughtRelatively Low$41,000[19]
Strong WindRelatively Low$212,000[20]
EarthquakeVery Low$62,000[21]
LandslideVery Low$43[22]
HailVery Low$9,317[23]
Winter WeatherVery Low$1,672[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, ice storm, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityVery High93.4[9]
Community resilienceVery Low9.1[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates coastal flooding risk Relatively Moderate and inland flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[14][18]. OpenFEMA lists 840 residential flood insurance contracts in force in Levy County as of 2026-08-03, a penetration rate of 4.3%[26]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 28.9% of homes are insured[26]. OpenFEMA NFIP claims data from 1978 to 2026 show 1,316 claims filed, and NFIP paid $55.3 million in total[3]. For the flood zone of a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Coastal Flooding, FEMA risk rating[14] Relatively Moderate, $792,000 expected loss a year
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[18] Relatively Low, $4.1 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 840 of 19,343 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 2,650, of which 766 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 1,316 filed, $55.3 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 43 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Levy County since 1972[2]. Hurricane declarations number 21 of them[2]. The most recent listed is EM-3655-FL for Hurricane Isaias, declared 2026-10-09[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 23 tornadoes touching Levy County from 1950 to 2024, and none were rated F3/EF3 or stronger[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Levy County, since 1972
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 21
Severe Storm[2] 7
Tropical Storm[2] 6
Fire[2] 5
Freezing[2] 1
Flood[2] 1
Tornado[2] 1
Coastal Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3655-FL[28] Hurricane Isaias 2026-10-09
FM-5632-FL[28] Cow Creek Fire 2026-04-23
DR-4834-FL[28] Hurricane Milton 2024-10-11
EM-3622-FL[28] Hurricane Milton 2024-10-07
DR-4828-FL[28] Hurricane Helene 2024-09-28

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Hurricanes

Before

  • Know your hurricane risk, including rain, wind and tornadoes far inland from landfall.
  • Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and practice them with your household and pets.
  • Keep insurance policies and ID current, with password-protected digital copies.
  • Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Keep your phone charged, buy backup chargers and gather supplies, including medication and pet supplies.

During

  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order an evacuation, leave right away.
  • For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
  • If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, hurricanes

Floods

Before

  • Check your flood risk with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that floods do not follow map lines.
  • Sign up for your community's warning system. NOAA Weather Radio also broadcasts alerts.
  • Buy flood insurance through the NFIP well before a disaster. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and a new policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect.
  • Make a household plan with evacuation routes, shelter locations and what to do in a flash flood.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.

During

  • If you are told to evacuate, leave right away and never drive around barricades.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, floods

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Questions people ask

Is Levy County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates coastal flooding risk Relatively Moderate and inland flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[14][18]. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the place to look up an address[27].
Is Levy County at risk of tornadoes?
FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[16]. NOAA's tornado database records 23 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4].
Is Levy County at risk of hurricanes?
FEMA rates hurricane risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties, with a score of 91.6 out of 100[11]. OpenFEMA lists 21 hurricane declarations that include the county since 1972[2].
Is Levy County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Very Low compared with other US counties[21].
How many disasters were declared in Levy County?
OpenFEMA lists 43 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Levy County since 1972[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Levy County is $15.3 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 51.2). Of this, buildings account for $10.1 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $2.8 million... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 43 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Levy County since 1972 (24 major disaster, 19 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 21, severe storm 7, tropical storm 6, fire 5, freezing 1, flood 1, tornado 1, coastal storm 1.... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 1,316 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Levy County, 1,125 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $55.3 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 23 recorded tornadoes touched Levy County. The strongest were rated F2 (most recent of them on 1993-03-12). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2012-05-29. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Levy County is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 66.0 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Levy County are hurricane (91.6, Relatively Moderate), lightning (90.6, Relatively High), wildfire (87.2, Relatively Low). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores;... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Levy County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are hurricane ($6.2 million a year), inland flooding ($4.1 million a year), cold wave ($1.2 million a year), out of $15.3 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Levy County is Very High (score 93.4). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Levy County is Very Low (score 9.1). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 91.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.2 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.26 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172... FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 90.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $749,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 87.94 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 87.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $552,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0026 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), coastal flooding in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 72.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $792,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 3.7512 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 69.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.2 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 3.64 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 58.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.0 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.63 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 53.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $259,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 2.85 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 51.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.29 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 40.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $41,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 22.76 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Levy County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 35.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $212,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.7 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Levy County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 33.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $62,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0007 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Levy County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 15.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $43 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Levy County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 5.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $9,317 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 1.17 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Levy County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 4.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1,672 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.05 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Levy County: avalanche, ice storm, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible there. FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 840 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Levy County, out of 19,343 residential structures, a penetration rate of 4.3%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 2,650 residential structures and 766 contracts, a rate... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  28. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.