Lynn County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Lynn County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.0, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lynn County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 23.0 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.80 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 77.75 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $861K in expected annual loss and about 2.15 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lynn County has a 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: Lynn County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1992, including 4 for fire events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Lynn County ranks #185 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 4.80 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | High | 77.75 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.15 / yr | $861K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.54 / yr | $576K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $18K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.84 / yr | $17K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $184K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.53 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $504K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / 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
Lynn County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1992, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Hurricane (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lynn County?
Lynn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.0 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 Lynn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $2M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $861K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lynn County compare to other Texas counties?
Lynn County ranks #185 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lynn County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Lynn County since 1992, most often 4 for fire events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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. Lynn County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.