Comal County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Comal County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.7, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $144M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Comal County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 92.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 93rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Comal County's expected losses come from riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $118M in expected annual loss and about 3.93 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.90 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $144M in expected annual loss for a population of 161K.
Beyond physical exposure, Comal County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Comal County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for hurricane events and 6 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2023.
Among 254 Texas counties, Comal County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.93 / yr | $118M |
| Hail | High | 3.90 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.25 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 3.47 / yr | $514K |
| Lightning | High | 47.72 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.16 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.43 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 85.87 / yr | $481K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $326K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $160K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| 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
Comal County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Fire (6), Flood (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| November 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| June 2010 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Alex |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Comal County?
Comal County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Comal County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (High, $118M EAL), Hail (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Comal County compare to other Texas counties?
Comal County ranks #18 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Comal County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Comal County since 1972, most often 6 for hurricane events and 6 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 2023.
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. Comal County's $144M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.