Hall County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Hall County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.6, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hall County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 Hall County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 65.12 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $502K in expected annual loss and about 6.74 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $689K in expected annual loss and about 2.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hall 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 federal record bears this out: Hall County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 5 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Hall County ranks #159 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 65.12 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.74 / yr | $502K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.51 / yr | $689K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $150K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.44 / yr | $50K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.95 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.71 / yr | $339K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $55K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.42 / yr | $78K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.45 / yr | $15K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $8 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $350K |
| 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
Hall County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Severe Storm (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| 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 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hall County?
Hall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $502K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $689K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hall County compare to other Texas counties?
Hall County ranks #159 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hall County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Hall County since 1989, most often 5 for fire events and 4 for severe storm 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. Hall County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.