Kaufman County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Kaufman County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.2, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $43M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kaufman County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 76.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.45 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 17.05 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $43M in expected annual loss for a population of 145K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kaufman County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Kaufman County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 6 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, Kaufman County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.45 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.05 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $492K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.96 / yr | $20M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 3.47 / yr | $123K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $520K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $90K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.96 / yr | $276K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.27 / yr | $649K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.94 / yr | $69K |
| Drought | Low | 23.77 / yr | $53K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $125 |
| 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
Kaufman County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (4), Fire (3).
| 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 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 |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kaufman County?
Kaufman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kaufman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kaufman County compare to other Texas counties?
Kaufman County ranks #64 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kaufman County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Kaufman County since 1989, most often 6 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. Kaufman County's $43M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.