Burnet County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Burnet County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.6, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Burnet County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 76.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $802K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.33 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 49K.
Beyond physical exposure, Burnet County has a very 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: Burnet County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for fire events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2025.
Among 254 Texas counties, Burnet County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $802K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.33 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.53 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $170K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.39 / yr | $15M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.74 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 71.34 / yr | $314K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.41 / yr | $287K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.01 / yr | $155K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $575 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $27K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Burnet County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Fire (6), Flood (5), Severe Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| February 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2018 | Fire | Park Road Fire |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
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 Burnet County?
Burnet County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burnet County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $802K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burnet County compare to other Texas counties?
Burnet County ranks #63 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Burnet County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Burnet County since 1973, most often 6 for fire events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 2025.
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. Burnet County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.