Hood County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Hood County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.5, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hood County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 Hood County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.39 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.59 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 62K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hood County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Hood County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 5 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Chalk Mountain Fire (fire), declared in July 2022.
Among 254 Texas counties, Hood County ranks #79 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.39 / yr | $9M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 8.59 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.11 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.04 / yr | $339K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.34 / yr | $507K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.32 / yr | $10M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $97K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.46 / yr | $557K |
| Drought | Low | 48.46 / yr | $142K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $78K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.05 / yr | $27K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $152 |
| 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
Hood County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Chalk Mountain Fire in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Severe Storm (5), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Fire | Chalk Mountain Fire |
| March 2022 | Fire | Big L Fire |
| 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 |
| March 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
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 Hood County?
Hood County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hood County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $9M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hood County compare to other Texas counties?
Hood County ranks #79 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hood County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Hood County since 1989, most often 5 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Chalk Mountain Fire, declared in July 2022.
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. Hood County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.