Florida Wind Zones and Zone 4 Wind Speed Counties by State
Re-roofing-in-high-velocity-wind-zones
If you are designing or building along the Gulf or Atlantic coast, wind is one of the first loads you plan for. This guide lists the counties FEMA places in its highest wind zone, explains how those zones relate to the Florida Building Code in force today, and covers what to look for in a roofing product rated for high-wind regions.
What Are FEMA Wind Zones?
FEMA’s Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards (FEMA P-85, 2009) divides the U.S. into four wind zones, matching the zones in NFPA 225 and NFPA 501. Each zone is bounded by isotachs, which are map lines connecting points of equal wind speed. The speeds are 3-second gusts from ASCE 7-02.
| Zone | Basic wind speed (3-second gust) |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Up to 90 mph |
| Zone 2 | 90 to 110 mph |
| Zone 3 | 110 to 130 mph |
| Zone 4 | 130 to 150 mph |
These zones were written for manufactured home foundations, but they remain a quick way to see which coastal areas face the highest wind exposure. For actual design, the wind speed that applies to your site comes from the building code your county has adopted, as covered below.
Zone 4 Wind Speed Counties by State
FEMA P-85 lists the following counties, parishes and territories in Zone 4, its highest wind zone.
| State or territory | Zone 4 counties or parishes |
|---|---|
| Florida | Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach |
| Louisiana | Cameron, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion |
| Mississippi | Jackson |
| North Carolina | Brunswick, Carteret |
| Texas | Cameron |
| U.S. territories | Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands |
Florida Wind Zones by County
Florida has more Zone 4 and Zone 3 counties than any other state on FEMA’s list. FEMA’s list does not include Franklin County, so confirm wind speeds there with the local building department.
| Zone | Florida counties |
|---|---|
| Zone 4 (150 mph) | Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach |
| Zone 3 (130 mph) | Bay, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Gulf, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lee, Levy, Liberty, Manatee, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, Washington |
| Zone 2 (110 mph) | Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Highlands, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Madison, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Union |
How the Florida Building Code Sets Wind Speeds Today
FEMA’s zones are a useful reference, but they are based on a wind standard that is now several editions old. In Florida, the governing values come from the Florida Building Code.
- Current edition. The 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code took effect December 31, 2023, and references ASCE 7-22 for wind loads. The 9th Edition is expected to take effect at the end of 2026.
- Risk categories. Design wind speeds vary by a building’s risk category, so a hotel, a home and a hospital on the same street can have different requirements.
- High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Miami-Dade and Broward counties carry the state’s strictest wind provisions. Design wind speeds there run 170 to 175 mph for typical (Risk Category II) buildings, and exterior products face additional testing and approval requirements.
To find the design wind speed for a specific address, use the ASCE Hazard Tool, then confirm with your local building department.
Reading Wind Ratings on Roofing Products
Roofing wind ratings are expressed either as a wind speed or as an uplift pressure in pounds per square foot (psf). Compare the product’s rating against your project’s design wind speed and pressures, and confirm it carries Florida Product Approval if you are building in Florida.
Engineered Thatch Built for High-Wind Regions
Natural thatch is vulnerable in a hurricane. Endureed engineered thatch is designed for it.
- Wind rated to 200 mph. Endureed Performance and Premium are the lines specified for hurricane-prone and high-wind regions.
- Florida Product Approved. Endureed thatch roofing products carry Florida Product Approval.
- Proven in the field. Endureed roofs have performed through Category 5 hurricanes.
- More than wind. Class A fire rating, zero maintenance, and warranties of up to 30 years.
For the look, choose from Performance Palm, Reed and Grass, or Premium profiles inspired by thatching traditions around the world: Bali, Capetown, Dominica, Kilimanjaro, Kona and Somerset.
Plan Your Project with Endureed
Whether you are roofing a poolside cabana or a resort, our team can help you match the right system to your site’s wind requirements. Request a sample, call us at (877) 265-6124, or contact us online.
