Foard County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Foard County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.5, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Foard County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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.
Most of Foard County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 137.73 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $437K in expected annual loss and about 2.81 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $22K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Foard County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Foard County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 5 for fire events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Foard County ranks #232 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 137.73 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.81 / yr | $437K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Hail | Low | 6.71 / yr | $136K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $144K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 11.53 / yr | $30K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $8K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $21 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.63 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $183K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.69 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Foard County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Hurricane (4), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| 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 |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2010 | Hurricane | Hurricane Alex |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Foard County?
Foard County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Foard County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $437K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $22K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Foard County compare to other Texas counties?
Foard County ranks #232 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Foard County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Foard County since 1979, most often 5 for fire events and 4 for hurricane 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. Foard County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.