Cass County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Cass County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.8, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cass County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 50.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $943K in expected annual loss and about 0.99 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.70 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cass 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.
History supports the rating: Cass County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 7 for hurricane events and 6 for fire events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Cass County ranks #137 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.99 / yr | $943K |
| Hail | Medium | 5.70 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.10 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 19.11 / yr | $972K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.82 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $119K |
| Drought | Medium | 28.44 / yr | $317K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $89K |
| Lightning | Low | 60.42 / yr | $181K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.74 / yr | $45K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $187K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $547K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $536 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| 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
Cass County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Fire (6), Flood (5).
| 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 |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Marco and Laura |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $943K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other Texas counties?
Cass County ranks #137 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cass County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Cass County since 1966, most often 7 for hurricane events and 6 for fire 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. Cass County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.