Lee County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Lee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.5, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lee County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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.
Most of Lee County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.63 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 62.31 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $689K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lee County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Lee County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1987, including 5 for hurricane events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Lee County ranks #147 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 62.31 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $689K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.00 / yr | $259K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.32 / yr | $295K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.67 / yr | $163K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.05 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.56 / yr | $313K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.73 / yr | $36K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $20 |
| 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
Lee County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1987, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Fire (5), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lee County?
Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $689K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lee County compare to other Texas counties?
Lee County ranks #147 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lee County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Lee County since 1987, most often 5 for hurricane events and 5 for fire 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. Lee County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.