Jim Wells County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Jim Wells County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.5, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jim Wells County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 86.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 2.37 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $732K in expected annual loss and about 1.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $38M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jim Wells County has a very 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: Jim Wells County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 15 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Jim Wells County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.37 / yr | $17M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.11 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $732K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 15.38 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $298K |
| Drought | Medium | 61.06 / yr | $629K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $113K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Low | 44.92 / yr | $164K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.74 / yr | $263K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.90 / yr | $21K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $17 |
| 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
Jim Wells County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Flood (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hanna |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| August 2010 | Hurricane | Hurricane Alex |
| June 2010 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Alex |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jim Wells County?
Jim Wells County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jim Wells County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $17M EAL), Hurricane (High, $11M EAL), Hail (Medium, $732K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jim Wells County compare to other Texas counties?
Jim Wells County ranks #30 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jim Wells County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Jim Wells County since 1967, most often 15 for hurricane events and 4 for flood 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. Jim Wells County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.