Hamilton County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Hamilton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.8, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hamilton County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 Hamilton County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $607K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $272K in expected annual loss and about 5.29 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $132K in expected annual loss and about 68.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hamilton County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Hamilton County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 4 for fire events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2025.
Among 254 Texas counties, Hamilton County ranks #207 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $607K |
| Hail | Low | 5.29 / yr | $272K |
| Drought | Low | 68.08 / yr | $132K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $49K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $981K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $579K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.68 / yr | $117K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.05 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 9.79 / yr | $113K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.84 / yr | $165K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.87 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $20 |
| 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
Hamilton County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Flood (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| April 2009 | Fire | 617 Fire |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hamilton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $607K EAL), Hail (Low, $272K EAL), Drought (Low, $132K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hamilton County compare to other Texas counties?
Hamilton County ranks #207 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hamilton County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Hamilton County since 1990, most often 4 for fire events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 2025.
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. Hamilton County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.