Gonzales County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Gonzales County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.7, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Gonzales County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.48 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $26M in expected annual loss and about 2.96 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 67.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gonzales 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: Gonzales County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 5 for flood events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Gonzales County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.48 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.96 / yr | $26M |
| Drought | Medium | 67.89 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.15 / yr | $707K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $141K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.64 / yr | $308K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.42 / yr | $443K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.00 / yr | $36K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $192 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Gonzales County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Hurricane (5), Fire (4).
| 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 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Gonzales County?
Gonzales County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gonzales County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $26M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gonzales County compare to other Texas counties?
Gonzales County ranks #33 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gonzales County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Gonzales County since 1967, most often 5 for flood events and 5 for hurricane 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. Gonzales County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.