Cooke County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Cooke County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.3, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cooke County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 73.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 34.25 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.43 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cooke County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Cooke County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Cooke County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 34.25 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.43 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.81 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.14 / yr | $619K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.53 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.01 / yr | $849K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $10M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.20 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $316K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $55K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.25 / yr | $139K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $528K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.05 / yr | $29K |
| 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
Cooke County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cooke County?
Cooke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cooke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cooke County compare to other Texas counties?
Cooke County ranks #72 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cooke County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Cooke County since 1966, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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. Cooke County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.