Kent County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Kent County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.1, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $1M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kent County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 1.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $775K in expected annual loss and about 79.81 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $130K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $145K in expected annual loss and about 4.85 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $1M in expected annual loss for a population of 741.
Beyond physical exposure, Kent County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Kent County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 5 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Kent County ranks #249 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 79.81 / yr | $775K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $130K |
| Hail | Low | 4.85 / yr | $145K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $188 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.56 / yr | $60K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $62K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $34K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.32 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.22 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $135K |
| 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
Kent County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Hurricane (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2011 | Fire | Cooper Mountain Ranch Fire |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kent County?
Kent County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kent County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $775K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $130K EAL), Hail (Low, $145K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kent County compare to other Texas counties?
Kent County ranks #249 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kent County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Kent County since 1993, most often 5 for fire events and 3 for hurricane 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. Kent County's $1M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.