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Risk: Relatively High

Brevard County, FL Environment & Hazard Risk

Relatively High natural hazard risk, led by hurricane. 819 storm events since 1996.

Expected yearly loss
$389M
Relatively High nationally
Storm events since 1996
819
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
29,365
11.8% of homes
Hurricanes nearby
10
29 tropical storms or stronger since 1852

Natural hazard risk

FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025

Overall risk

Relatively High

Score 98.4 of 100

Social vulnerability

Relatively Moderate

Score 40.8 of 100

Community resilience

Relatively High

Score 63.4 of 100

Community resilience runs the other way: a higher rating means a community can recover faster.

Building value exposed: $119B · Agriculture value exposed: $75.93M · Risk-adjusted yearly loss: $412M

Risk by hazard

  • HurricaneVery High$281M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
  • LightningVery High$5.55M/yr expected annual loss, about 73 events a year
  • WildfireRelatively Moderate$7.81M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 88 years
  • Strong windRelatively High$3.32M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
  • TornadoRelatively High$12.38M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
  • Heat waveRelatively Moderate$2.08M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.9 events a year
  • Coastal floodingRelatively Moderate$2.63M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.1 events a year
  • LandslideVery Low$1,281/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9 years
  • DroughtRelatively Low$133K/yr expected annual loss, about 19 events a year
  • EarthquakeVery Low$225K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2,433 years
  • HailRelatively Low$144K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.7 events a year
  • Cold waveRelatively Low$419K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.3 events a year

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, ice storm, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity, winter weather.

Flood risk and insurance

National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA flood maps

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance
29,365 of 249,193 (11.8%)
Homes in high-risk flood zones
17,068
Insured in high-risk zones
8,018 (47%)
Flood claims since 1978
5,690
Claims paid since 1978
$69.12M

Flood claims paid per year

Flood claims paid per year in Brevard County
  • Hurricane Irma$19.66M · 776 claims
  • Tropical Storm Fay$19.23M · 1,327 claims
  • Hurricane Jeanne$7.05M · 513 claims
  • Hurricane Frances$3.37M · 523 claims
  • Hurricane Ian$2.63M · 114 claims
  • Hurricane Wilma$2.28M · 128 claims

Storm history

Since 1996: 819 events, 22 deaths, $317M in damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind343 · 2 deaths
  • Hail201
  • Funnel Cloud64
  • Tornado62
  • Lightning37 · 8 deaths
  • Tropical Storm24 · 1 death
  • Flash Flood22 · 1 death
  • Heavy Rain21
  • Flood12
  • Rip Current11 · 10 deaths

Events per year

Storm events per year in Brevard County
21
31
15
18
38
47
29
18
12
8
20
33
30
12
12
41
67
25
27
21

139 tornadoes on record (EF0 21, EF1 9, EF2 1, F0 46, F1 37, F2 15, F3 3).

Most damaging storms

Since 1996, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage

  • Wildfire07/01/1998

    Countywide, Brevard County

    52 injured, $200M damage

    What happened

    The excessive heat and lack of rain that existed over east central Florida for much of June and July resulted in wild fires beginning in June and spreading over huge areas of Volusia and Brevard counties in late June and early July. Wild fires were also reported in Orange and Seminole counties. Hundreds of firefighters were called in from all over the Nation to help battle the fires. No major population centres were threatened but a huge battle was waged to keep the fires out of the towns of Mims and Scottsmoor. Residents of the area suffered may days of breathing heavy smoke that significantly reduced visibility. At one point Interstate 95 was closed through northern Brevard and Volusia counties. Little could be done except to protect homes and populated areas until rains began to fall after the first week in July. In east central Florida about 300,000 acres of land burned including 62 homes and 7 businesses. About 70 people were injured while fighting or fleeing the fires. There were no fatalities. Total damages were estimated at $300 million.

  • Flash Flood08/20/2008

    West Eaugallie, Brevard County

    $70M damage

    What happened

    Torrential rain from Tropical Storm Fay dropped as much as 15 inche of rain on the central and south parts of Brevard County. As many as 1600 homes were flooded. Damage was in excess of $70 million.

  • Thunderstorm Wind58 kt wind03/29/1997

    Cape Kennedy Rgnl, Brevard County

    26 injured, $100K damage

    What happened

    Severe thunderstorm winds swept across the Cape Kennedy Space Center producing a wind gust to 58 knots and widespread wind damage. Twenty six people were injured by flying glass when winds blew out windows on three tour busses. Numerous other cars in the areas had damaged windows. Power lines and trees were blown down. Elsewhere at Cape Kennedy roofs, scaffolding, golf carts, out buildings, garage bay doors, antennas and cars were also damaged.

  • Lightning09/15/2022

    Scottsmoor, Brevard County

    2 deaths

    What happened

    The Orlando Fire Department and local news media reported that a crew boat with five boys was struck or nearly struck by lightning, causing the boat to capsize, at around 1615LST. Four of the boys made it to shore, where one was sent to the hospital. The fifth boy was missing for a time and was later found deceased. The hospitalized boy was in critical condition and was declared brain dead. He was taken off of life support a few days later.

  • Thunderstorm Wind48 kt wind06/04/2025

    Merritt Is, Brevard County

    2 deaths

    What happened

    Emergency manager reported that a crane collapsed at the new Cape Canaveral hospital construction site at Borman Drive and SR-520, leading to two fatalities. Outflow winds from a thunderstorm of up to 39 to 48 knots were observed near the site around the time.

  • TornadoF1, 7 mi path, 40 yd wide03/31/1996

    Merritt Is, Brevard County

    18 injured, $500K damage

    What happened

    An F1 waterspout-tornado came off of New Found Harbor Bay and touched down briefly just south of State Road 520 on New Found Harbor Road in Merritt Island. The tornado blew out windows and damaged roofs on six homes. The tornado moved east northeast into the Banana River Lagoon and came ashore south of Cape Canaveral where it destroyed a small building on a used car lot. An eighteen food boot was blown off its trailer. The tornado damaged the roof of a night club and a dive shop. Twenty five other buildings in the area received minor damage. Widows were blown out of 30 vehicles. Damage estimates were near $500,000.

Latest storm reports

Newest first

  • Thunderstorm Wind51 kt wind07/13/2026

    Cocoa, Brevard County

  • Flash Flood07/07/2026

    Titusville Airpark, Brevard County

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind07/07/2026

    Titusville Beach, Brevard County

  • Thunderstorm Wind56 kt wind06/24/2026

    Valkaria, Brevard County

  • Thunderstorm Wind52 kt wind06/24/2026

    Melbourne Beach, Brevard County

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind06/24/2026

    Indialantic, Brevard County

  • Thunderstorm Wind53 kt wind06/18/2026

    Melbourne Beach, Brevard County

  • Thunderstorm Wind55 kt wind06/03/2026

    Valkaria, Brevard County

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Storms whose track crossed Brevard County, with the wind when it passed

Drinking water

27 community water systems serve about 722,613 people. Violations since 2021.

3 systems had health-based violations, such as a contaminant over the legal limit or a missed treatment step. 7 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report.

Largest systems by population served. Monitoring and reporting violations mean required tests or notices were late or missing, not that the water was unsafe.

Climate

1991-2020 normals at Melbourne WFO, 14 mi from the county center

Summer highs peak around 91°F in Jul and winter lows bottom out near 51°F in Jan. About 55.3 inches of rain falls in a typical year.

MonthHighLowRain
Jan72°F51°F2.77 in
Feb75°F53°F2.28 in
Mar78°F56°F2.93 in
Apr82°F61°F2.53 in
May86°F67°F3.82 in
Jun89°F72°F7.52 in
Jul91°F73°F6.81 in
Aug91°F73°F7.49 in
Sep89°F73°F8.55 in
Oct84°F68°F5.28 in
Nov79°F60°F2.57 in
Dec74°F54°F2.73 in
Year73°F average55.3 in

Pollution sites

1 Superfund site and 28 toxic release facilities in Brevard County

Superfund sites

Toxic release facilities

Total: 272,491 lbs in 2024, 265,325 lbs to air.

Superfund sitesToxic release facilitiesEPA inspections and enforcementAir toxics cancer risk27 historic places

Frequently asked questions

How risky is Brevard County for natural disasters?
FEMA rates Brevard County relatively high for overall natural hazard risk, with expected losses of $389M a year. The highest-rated hazards are hurricane (very high), lightning (very high), wildfire (relatively moderate).
What storms are most common in Brevard County?
Since 1996, NOAA recorded 819 storm events affecting Brevard County, most often thunderstorm wind (343), hail (201), funnel cloud (64).
How many tornadoes have hit Brevard County?
139 tornadoes have been recorded in Brevard County since 1950, including 3 rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
How many homes in Brevard County have flood insurance?
29,365 residential flood insurance policies are in force in Brevard County, covering about 11.8% of homes. The program has paid $69.12M on 5,690 claims here since 1978.
What is the weather like in Brevard County?
At Melbourne WFO, average highs reach 91°F in Jul and lows fall to 51°F in Jan, with 55.3 inches of rain a year (1991-2020 normals).

Source: FEMA (National Risk Index, NFIP), NOAA (Storm Events, HURDAT2, Climate Normals), EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch the county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.