Gregg County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Gregg County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.0, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $55M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Gregg County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.98 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $55M in expected annual loss for a population of 124K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gregg County has a 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: Gregg County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 7 for hurricane events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Gregg County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.98 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.25 / yr | $20M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.04 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | High | 5.40 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 19.37 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $217K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.90 / yr | $625K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.82 / yr | $15M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $602K |
| Drought | Medium | 22.16 / yr | $346K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $87K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $426K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $440 |
| 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
Gregg County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Fire (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Marco and Laura |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gregg County?
Gregg County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gregg County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $20M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gregg County compare to other Texas counties?
Gregg County ranks #27 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gregg County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Gregg County since 1966, most often 7 for hurricane events and 4 for fire 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. Gregg County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.