Pensacola, FL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Pensacola is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Escambia County, FL. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, hurricane, and heat wave.
Storm events near Pensacola
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Pensacola's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Pensacola 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 Escambia County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Pensacola along with the rest of the county, not a Pensacola-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 82.6 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 88.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 76.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 68.6 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 94.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 71.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 81.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 52.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 59.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 98.8 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 26.6 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 45.9 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 99 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 46.1 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 61.9 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Escambia County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Escambia County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Pensacola, FL at risk of?
Pensacola 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 Escambia County, where Pensacola is located, are lightning, hurricane, and heat wave.
What is Pensacola's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Escambia County, where Pensacola is located, scoring 99 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Pensacola a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Pensacola carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Escambia County.
Has Pensacola had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 21 tornado, 33 hail, 65 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Pensacola since 2016.