Highlands County in Central Florida's interior has moderate disaster risk from hurricane rainfall and flooding, with its numerous lakes creating localized flood challenges. Lake Okeechobee to the south is a major flood risk factor — dike failures at the lake could inundate surrounding communities. Irma caused significant flooding and wind damage across the county in 2017.
// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 5 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Flooding |
| Secondary Hazard | Tornado |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone X (Moderate Risk) |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 28 |
| Last Major Event | Hurricane Irma (2017) |
| Event Frequency | Major event every 6–8 years |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (863) 402-6900 |
| Emergency Shelters | 10 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-27 North, US-27 South, SR-70 East, SR-66 West |
// Recommended Preparedness Gear
Based on Highlands County FL's primary hazard profile (Hurricane / Flooding), the following gear is recommended for a Moderate risk area.
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// County Profile
| County | Highlands County FL |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Population | 105162 |
| Area | 1028 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Zone X (Moderate Risk) |
// Other Florida Counties
St. Lucie County FL
Hurricane / Flooding
7/10
High
Marion County FL
Hurricane / Flooding
5/10
Moderate
Miami-Dade County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Brevard County FL
Hurricane / Flooding
7/10
High
Hillsborough County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
High
Citrus County FL
Hurricane / Storm Surge
7/10
High