Sarasota, FL
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Sarasota is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Sarasota County, FL. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, hurricane, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Sarasota
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Sarasota's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Sarasota 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 Sarasota County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Sarasota along with the rest of the county, not a Sarasota-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 93.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 95.7 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 93.6 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 34.7 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 89.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 92.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 31.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 37.3 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 21 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 99.5 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 43.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 99.6 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 87.4 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 0 | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Sarasota County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Sarasota County:
More on Sarasota County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Sarasota, FL at risk of?
Sarasota 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 Sarasota County, where Sarasota is located, are lightning, hurricane, and inland flooding.
What is Sarasota's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Sarasota County, where Sarasota is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Sarasota a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Sarasota carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Sarasota County.
Has Sarasota had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 16 tornado, 5 hail, 22 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Sarasota since 2016.