Austin County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Austin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.1, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Austin County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $973K in expected annual loss and about 37.53 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $941K in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Austin County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Austin County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 8 for hurricane events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Austin County ranks #131 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 37.53 / yr | $973K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $941K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.45 / yr | $663K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.68 / yr | $509K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.04 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.71 / yr | $75K |
| Lightning | Low | 63.44 / yr | $205K |
| Hail | Low | 2.49 / yr | $135K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $39 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Austin County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Flood (6), Fire (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Austin County?
Austin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Austin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $973K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $941K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Austin County compare to other Texas counties?
Austin County ranks #131 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Austin County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Austin County since 1991, most often 8 for hurricane events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl, declared in July 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Austin County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.