Callahan County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Callahan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.7, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Callahan County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 14.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 15th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $958K in expected annual loss and about 5.83 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $406K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $223K in expected annual loss and about 38.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Callahan County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Callahan County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 7 for fire events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Callahan County ranks #202 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.83 / yr | $958K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $406K |
| Drought | Low | 38.32 / yr | $223K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.61 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.84 / yr | $56K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.53 / yr | $216K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $489 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.90 / yr | $253K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $139K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.13 / yr | $44K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Callahan County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (7), Flood (5), Severe Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2009 | Fire | Steel Fire |
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 Callahan County?
Callahan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Callahan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $958K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $406K EAL), Drought (Low, $223K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Callahan County compare to other Texas counties?
Callahan County ranks #202 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Callahan County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Callahan County since 1990, most often 7 for fire events and 5 for flood 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. Callahan County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.