Kleberg County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Kleberg County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.4, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Kleberg County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th 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.
Most of Kleberg County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 2.31 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 17.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kleberg County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Kleberg County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 15 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, Kleberg County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.31 / yr | $16M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.14 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.07 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 0.81 / yr | $519K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Drought | Low | 71.37 / yr | $230K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $102K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.64 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $821K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 3.20 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.86 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.47 / yr | $64K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.73 / yr | $146K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $23 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kleberg County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), 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 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2010 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Alex |
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 Kleberg County?
Kleberg County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kleberg County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $16M EAL), Hurricane (High, $11M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kleberg County compare to other Texas counties?
Kleberg County ranks #37 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kleberg County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Kleberg County since 1967, most often 15 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. Kleberg County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.