DeWitt County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
DeWitt County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.9, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $31M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
DeWitt County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 83.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th 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 DeWitt County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 3.57 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $31M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, DeWitt County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: DeWitt County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, DeWitt County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.57 / yr | $22M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 59.20 / yr | $357K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $88K |
| Hail | Low | 1.72 / yr | $303K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.11 / yr | $473K |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.31 / yr | $227K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.63 / yr | $23K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.84 / yr | $211K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.35 / yr | $23K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $48 |
| 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
DeWitt County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Flood (4), 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
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 DeWitt County?
DeWitt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeWitt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeWitt County compare to other Texas counties?
DeWitt County ranks #39 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has DeWitt County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for DeWitt County since 1967, most often 9 for hurricane events and 4 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. DeWitt County's $31M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.