La Salle County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
La Salle County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.6, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates La Salle County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 22.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.47 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $424K in expected annual loss and about 8.74 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $70K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, La Salle County has a very 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.
The federal record bears this out: La Salle County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 5 for hurricane events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, La Salle County ranks #187 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.74 / yr | $424K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $70K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $162K |
| Drought | Low | 98.28 / yr | $67K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $56K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $190K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.18 / yr | $26K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $24K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $6 |
| 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
La Salle County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Fire (4), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hanna |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | 322 Fire |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for La Salle County?
La Salle County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in La Salle County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $424K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $70K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does La Salle County compare to other Texas counties?
La Salle County ranks #187 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has La Salle County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for La Salle County since 1967, most often 5 for hurricane events and 4 for fire 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. La Salle County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.