Hopkins County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Hopkins County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.2, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hopkins County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.2 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 Hopkins County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hopkins 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: Hopkins County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 4 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Hopkins County ranks #77 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.12 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.61 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.18 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.55 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.84 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 32.92 / yr | $396K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $117K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $8M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $152K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.79 / yr | $66K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $197K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.29 / yr | $120K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $70 |
| 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
Hopkins County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Hurricane (4), Fire (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 2019 | 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 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hopkins County?
Hopkins County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.2 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 Hopkins County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (High, $8M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hopkins County compare to other Texas counties?
Hopkins County ranks #77 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hopkins County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Hopkins County since 1974, most often 4 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane 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. Hopkins County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.