Hendry County, FL Environment & Hazard Risk

• LightningRelatively High$1.2M/yr expected annual loss, about 102 events a year
• HurricaneRelatively High$10M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• WildfireRelatively Moderate$1.4M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 84 years
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$647K/yr expected annual loss, about 20 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$810K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Cold waveRelatively Moderate$1.8M/yr expected annual loss, about 2.4 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Low$255K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.5 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$435K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Coastal floodingVery Low$1,221/yr expected annual loss, about once every 83 years
• EarthquakeVery Low$14.3K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4,525 years
• LandslideVery Low$40/yr expected annual loss, about once every 8 years
• HailVery Low$14.5K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 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.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

657 of 14,936 (4.4%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

1,301

Insured in high-risk zones

442 (34%)

Flood claims since 1978

132

Claims paid since 1978

$742K

• Drought55
• Hail27
• Frost/Freeze24
• Thunderstorm Wind24
• Funnel Cloud21
• Tornado15
• Wildfire10 · 1 death
• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill8
• Tropical Storm7 · 1 death
• Flood5

• Wildfire05/02/2008

  Hendry

  1 death, 29 injured

  What happened

  Wildfires burning muck or peat exposed by ongoing dry conditions along the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee spread to over 15 miles long from near Lakeport to near Clewiston and covered almost 30,000 acres as of May 31. Multiple road closures occurred nearly every night through the period, especially along US 27 and state roads 720 and 78, as the smoke settled near the ground and caused low visibilities. Several RVs were also threatened near the Moore Haven Marina & RV Resort.||The very low visibilities from the wildfires caused a chain-reaction accident on the morning of May 16th along US Highway 27 at Airglades Boulevard in extreme northern Hendry County between Clewiston and Moore Haven. A total of five accidents were reported, with 11 vehicles involved. One person died and 29 were taken to the hospital. The lead vehicle in the crash failed to slow down to avoid a collision, which triggered the rest of the accident.

• Cold/Wind Chill02/05/1996

  Hendry

  $24.9M damage

  What happened

  The coldest temperatures since the "Christmas freeze" of 1989 caused damage to fruit and vegetable crops in south Florida. Especially hard hit were tomatos, bell peppers and melons in Collier and Hendry counties and sugar cane in Palm Beach County. Minimum temperatures were in the upper 20s in Glades, Hendry and Collier counties, and in the lower to mid 30s over the remainder of the south Florida peninsula. Strong winds caused wind chill values in the teens, and disrupted electrical service to over 20,000 customers. Shelters were opened is several counties. At least one space heater initiated fire occurred.

• Hurricane (Typhoon)09/28/2022

  Hendry

  2 deaths, $419K damage

  What happened

  Highest winds occurred in western Hendry county in the LaBelle area where sustained winds probably reached the threshold of hurricane force for a brief time, with gusts of at least 80 mph. Maximum wind gusts across eastern sections of the county were in the 60-70 mph range. ||Estimated highest number of customers without power is 10,588. 29th. Estimated damage total is $419,000. A total of 112 structures were damaged, most in the western part of the county. ||The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed two indirect deaths from the storm: a 72-year old male from a heart attack while outside during the peak of the storm and could not be reached by paramedics due to dangerous conditions, and a 29-year-old male who was shot dead by another person after an argument. The victim was a contractor who had been sent to the area to help with relief efforts.

• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill01/05/2001

  Hendry

  $19M damage

  What happened

  A freeze occurred throughout the interior sections of south Florida, causing damage to certain crops. Hardest hit were certain vegetable crops with 75% losses in Hendry and east Collier counties and 30% losses in the farming areas of south Miami-Dade county. Other crops that were damaged included newly planted sugar cane, ornamentals, and tropical fruits. A heavy frost occurred in the western suburbs of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach metropolitan areas. Several daily minimum temperature records were broken. Selected minimum temperatures included 27 degrees at Belle Glade, 29 degrees in the Homestead agricultural area, 31 degrees in Naples, 39 degrees at Miami International Airport and 43 degrees in Miami Beach.

• Lightning06/08/2013

  Clewiston, Hendry County

  1 death, 1 injured

  What happened

  A 57 year old male died and his 56 year old friend was injured when their boat was struck by lightning on Lake Okeechobee. The two men were boating and decided to dock at the Clewiston boat ramps as a thunderstorm approached. As they were making their way back to Clewiston, lightning struck their boat and both men were knocked unconscious. Some time later, the 56 year old male awoke and called 911 after realizing what happened. Hendry County EMS arrived on the scene and transported the unconscious male to Hendry County Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The other male was later taken to Palms West Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

• Lightning09/21/2007

  Harlem, Hendry County

  1 death

  What happened

  A 49-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning while working on a vegetable farm in rural southern Hendry County.

• Port LabelleServes 11,782 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+12 monitoring or reporting
• Clewiston, City ofServes 9,643 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+8 monitoring or reporting
• City of LabelleServes 6,790 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+7 monitoring or reporting
• South Shore Water Assn., INC.Serves 4,498 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Riverbend Motorcoach ResortServes 309 · Surface water · PrivateNo health violations+7 monitoring or reporting
• Liberty ShoresServes 290 · Groundwater · Public and privateNo health violations+15 monitoring or reporting
• Palm and Pines Mobile Home PkServes 284 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+6 monitoring or reporting
• Riverbend EstatesServes 200 · Groundwater · Private2 health violations+13 monitoring or reporting