Crosby County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Crosby County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.7, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Crosby County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 23.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 76.97 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $914K in expected annual loss and about 4.94 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $463K in expected annual loss and about 2.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crosby County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Crosby County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1992, including 4 for fire events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Crosby County ranks #184 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 76.97 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.94 / yr | $914K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $463K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $620K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.47 / yr | $34K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $219K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.21 / yr | $12K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.37 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.08 / yr | $14K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $439K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $4 |
| 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
Crosby County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1992, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Severe Ice Storm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Crosby County?
Crosby County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Crosby County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $914K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $463K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crosby County compare to other Texas counties?
Crosby County ranks #184 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crosby County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Crosby County since 1992, most often 4 for fire events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 2021.
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. Crosby County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.