Brooks County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Brooks County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.8, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Brooks County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 2.58 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $248K in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Brooks County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Brooks County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for hurricane events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Brooks County ranks #105 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.58 / yr | $10M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 0.81 / yr | $248K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.37 / yr | $100K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.13 / yr | $18K |
| Drought | Very Low | 100.33 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $155K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.44 / yr | $17K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $21K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Brooks County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (12), Fire (5), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hanna |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2010 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Alex |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| July 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dolly |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Brooks County?
Brooks County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brooks County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $248K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brooks County compare to other Texas counties?
Brooks County ranks #105 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Brooks County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Brooks County since 1967, most often 12 for hurricane events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 2021.
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. Brooks County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.