Hockley County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Hockley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.4, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hockley County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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.
Most of Hockley County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 4.73 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 93.51 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $238K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hockley County has a 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: Hockley County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 4 for fire events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Hockley County ranks #134 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 4.73 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | High | 93.51 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $238K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.89 / yr | $141K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.10 / yr | $836K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $67K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $651K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.60 / yr | $87K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.11 / yr | $96K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.46 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1 |
| 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
Hockley County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Severe Storm (3), Hurricane (3).
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hockley County?
Hockley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hockley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $5M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $238K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hockley County compare to other Texas counties?
Hockley County ranks #134 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hockley County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Hockley County since 1970, most often 4 for fire events and 3 for severe storm 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. Hockley County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.