Vero Beach, FL

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 17,556 · Part of Indian River County

Vero Beach is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Indian River County, FL. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, lightning, and wildfire.

Storm events near Vero Beach

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Vero Beach's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Vero Beach itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 22 events
Hail 36 events
Inland Flooding 14 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Indian River County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Vero Beach along with the rest of the county, not a Vero Beach-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 88.2 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 85.9 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding 69 Relatively Moderate
Earthquake 32.3 Very Low
Heat Wave 63.1 Relatively Low
Tornado 72.5 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 39 Relatively Low
Drought 63 Relatively Low
Hail 13.1 Very Low
Hurricane 99.2 Very High
Ice Storm Not Applicable
Landslide 13.9 Very Low
Lightning 94.4 Relatively High
Strong Wind 86.3 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 Indian River County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

Other cities in Indian River County:

More on Indian River County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Vero Beach, FL at risk of?

Vero Beach 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 Indian River County, where Vero Beach is located, are hurricane, lightning, and wildfire.

What is Vero Beach's biggest natural hazard risk?

Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Indian River County, where Vero Beach is located, scoring 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").

Is Vero Beach a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Yes — Vero Beach carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Indian River County.

Has Vero Beach had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 22 tornado, 36 hail, 14 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Vero Beach since 2016.