Lamb County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Lamb County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.2, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Lamb County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 61.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 5.29 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 83.16 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.38 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lamb 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: Lamb County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 4 for fire events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Lamb County ranks #102 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 5.29 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | High | 83.16 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.38 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $519K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.21 / yr | $118K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.77 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $28K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.48 / yr | $37K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.76 / yr | $98K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $88K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Lamb County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Hurricane (4), Severe Storm (3).
| 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 |
| August 2010 | Hurricane | Hurricane Alex |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lamb County?
Lamb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lamb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $6M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lamb County compare to other Texas counties?
Lamb County ranks #102 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lamb County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Lamb County since 1970, most often 4 for fire events and 4 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. Lamb County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.