Ocala, FL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Ocala is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Marion County, FL. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, hurricane, and tornado.
Storm events near Ocala
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ocala's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ocala itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Marion County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ocala along with the rest of the county, not a Ocala-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 96.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 93 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 24.6 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 63.1 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 90.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 97.3 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 90.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 43.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 20 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 97.8 | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 59.3 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 99 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 93.3 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 1.2 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Marion County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Marion County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Ocala, FL at risk of?
Ocala is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Marion County, where Ocala is located, are lightning, hurricane, and tornado.
What is Ocala's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Marion County, where Ocala is located, scoring 99 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Ocala a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Ocala carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Marion County.
Has Ocala had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 8 tornado, 17 hail, 20 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ocala since 2016.