Kenedy County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Kenedy County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.4, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Kenedy County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 2.87 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $573K in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $25K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 345.
Beyond physical exposure, Kenedy County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Kenedy County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 14 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, Kenedy County ranks #174 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.87 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.15 / yr | $573K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Drought | Very Low | 99.49 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.80 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.67 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $11K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $279 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.59 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.72 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $423 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $0 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $87K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 3.18 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kenedy County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (14), 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 |
| June 2010 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Alex |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| August 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kenedy County?
Kenedy County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kenedy County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $6M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $573K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $25K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kenedy County compare to other Texas counties?
Kenedy County ranks #174 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kenedy County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Kenedy County since 1967, most often 14 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. Kenedy County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.