Jackson County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Jackson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.7, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jackson County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 71.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 56.89 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $89K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Jackson County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for hurricane events and 2 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Jackson County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.14 / yr | $13M |
| Drought | Medium | 56.89 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $89K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.43 / yr | $983K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.58 / yr | $378K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.54 / yr | $75K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.69 / yr | $124K |
| Lightning | Low | 61.89 / yr | $197K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.37 / yr | $984K |
| Hail | Low | 1.10 / yr | $114K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.02 / yr | $12K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.65 / yr | $93K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $22 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Jackson County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (12), Severe Ice Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Marco and Laura |
| July 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hanna |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $13M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $89K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Texas counties?
Jackson County ranks #76 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1967, most often 12 for hurricane events and 2 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl, declared in July 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. Jackson County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.