Freestone County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Freestone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.5, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Freestone County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 56.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.53 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $485K in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Freestone 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.
History supports the rating: Freestone County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for hurricane events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Freestone County ranks #121 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.53 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $485K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $123K |
| Drought | Medium | 34.81 / yr | $356K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.98 / yr | $149K |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.51 / yr | $240K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.42 / yr | $286K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.04 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.21 / yr | $277K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.84 / yr | $28K |
| Hail | Low | 3.56 / yr | $109K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $193 |
| 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
Freestone County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Flood (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| 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 |
| December 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Freestone County?
Freestone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Freestone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $485K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Freestone County compare to other Texas counties?
Freestone County ranks #121 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Freestone County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Freestone County since 1965, most often 4 for hurricane events and 3 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. Freestone County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.