Hunt County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Hunt County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.2, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $43M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hunt County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.20 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 0.77 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $43M in expected annual loss for a population of 100K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hunt County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Hunt County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 5 for fire events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Hunt County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.20 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.77 / yr | $15M |
| Hail | High | 7.35 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.37 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.21 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $282K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.25 / yr | $13M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $98K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $479K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.70 / yr | $206K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Low | 27.47 / yr | $86K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $89 |
| 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
Hunt County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Hurricane (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 |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
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 Hunt County?
Hunt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hunt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $15M EAL), Hail (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hunt County compare to other Texas counties?
Hunt County ranks #43 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hunt County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Hunt County since 1990, most often 5 for fire events and 4 for hurricane 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. Hunt County's $43M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.