Out of 29 counties with PHMSA gas distribution data, these are the counties with the highest incident risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 29 |
| Total incidents (top 100) | 41 |
| Total fatalities (top 100) | 6 |
Top 29 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Incidents | Fatalities | Latest Year | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palm Beach | Florida | 6 | 1 | 2024 | 10/100 |
| 2 | Hillsborough | Florida | 6 | 1 | 2024 | 10/100 |
| 3 | Lee | Florida | 4 | 1 | 2025 | 13/100 |
| 4 | Alachua | Florida | 3 | 0 | 2009 | 1/100 |
| 5 | Duval | Florida | 2 | 0 | 2024 | 3/100 |
| 6 | Brevard | Florida | 2 | 0 | 2016 | 1/100 |
| 7 | Sarasota | Florida | 2 | 0 | 2016 | 1/100 |
| 8 | Lake | Florida | 1 | 1 | 2025 | 16/100 |
| 9 | Orange | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 9/100 |
| 10 | Manatee | Florida | 1 | 1 | 2020 | 9/100 |
| 11 | Escambia | Florida | 1 | 1 | 2006 | 5/100 |
| 12 | Putnam | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2013 | 2/100 |
| 13 | Marion | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 2/100 |
| 14 | Walton | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2025 | 2/100 |
| 15 | Hernando | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2011 | 2/100 |
| 16 | Gulf | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2021 | 1/100 |
| 17 | Okaloosa | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 1/100 |
| 18 | Seminole | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 1/100 |
| 19 | Miami-Dade | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2024 | 1/100 |
| 20 | Pasco | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2021 | 1/100 |
| 21 | Polk | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2022 | 1/100 |
| 22 | Osceola | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2022 | 1/100 |
| 23 | Broward | Florida | 1 | 0 | 2007 | 0/100 |
| 24 | Martin | Florida | 0 | 0 | — | 13/100 |
| 25 | Bay | Florida | 0 | 0 | — | 2/100 |
| 26 | Citrus | Florida | 0 | 0 | — | 2/100 |
| 27 | Bradford | Florida | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 28 | Flagler | Florida | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 29 | Holmes | Florida | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
Methodology
County rankings for Florida based on total PHMSA gas distribution incidents reported since 2004.
Data source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Gas Distribution System Incident Reports 2004-2026. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas distribution incident?
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — leaks, ruptures, explosions, and equipment failures that can cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities. PHMSA requires all operators to report significant incidents.
How can I protect my home?
Install CO detectors on every level (CPSC recommendation). Have gas appliances inspected annually. Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near pipelines. If you suspect a leak, leave immediately and call 911.