Chambers County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Chambers County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.8, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Chambers County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 51.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $648K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $30M in expected annual loss for a population of 47K.
Beyond physical exposure, Chambers County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Chambers County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 11 for hurricane events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Chambers County ranks #133 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $648K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.67 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Medium | 75.11 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 20.46 / yr | $629K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.71 / yr | $208K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.76 / yr | $533K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.00 / yr | $763K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.88 / yr | $197K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.07 / yr | $354K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $24K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $79 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Chambers County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Flood (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| 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 |
| October 2019 | Flood | Tropical Storm Imelda |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
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 Chambers County?
Chambers County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chambers County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $8M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $648K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chambers County compare to other Texas counties?
Chambers County ranks #133 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Chambers County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Chambers County since 1979, most often 11 for hurricane events and 3 for flood 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. Chambers County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.