Colorado County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Colorado County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.2, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Colorado County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 62.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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.
Most of Colorado County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 43.23 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Colorado County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Colorado County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 7 for hurricane events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Colorado County ranks #97 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 43.23 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.63 / yr | $447K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.66 / yr | $245K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $79K |
| Hail | Low | 2.02 / yr | $222K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.14 / yr | $362K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.53 / yr | $21K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $54 |
| 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
Colorado County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Flood (3), Fire (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| 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 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Colorado County?
Colorado County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Colorado County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Colorado County compare to other Texas counties?
Colorado County ranks #97 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Colorado County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Colorado County since 1993, most often 7 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. Colorado County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.