Jones County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Jones County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.9, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jones County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Jones County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.51 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 80.28 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $533K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jones County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Jones County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Jones County ranks #150 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.51 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 80.28 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $533K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.84 / yr | $60K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.03 / yr | $475K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.42 / yr | $353K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.65 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $254 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $25K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $161K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.93 / yr | $38K |
| 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
Jones County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (5), Fire (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| April 2018 | Fire | 335 Fire |
| April 2016 | 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 |
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 Jones County?
Jones County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jones County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $533K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jones County compare to other Texas counties?
Jones County ranks #150 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jones County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Jones County since 1990, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Jones County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.