Brazos County
Texas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Brazos County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.4, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $63M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.95 / yr | $15M |
| Lightning | Very High | 59.94 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.33 / yr | $15M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 2.53 / yr | $353K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.36 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.48 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 30.34 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.85 / yr | $499K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $19M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $145K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $223 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Brazos County?
Brazos County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brazos County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $15M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brazos County compare to other Texas counties?
Brazos County ranks #26 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Brazos County's $63M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.