Mason County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Mason County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.0, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Mason County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 11.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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 Mason County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $578K in expected annual loss and about 78.55 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $115K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $149K in expected annual loss and about 46.30 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mason County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Mason County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 4 for flood events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2025.
Among 254 Texas counties, Mason County ranks #212 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 78.55 / yr | $578K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $115K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.30 / yr | $149K |
| Hail | Low | 3.01 / yr | $156K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.79 / yr | $20K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.79 / yr | $56K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $162K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $52 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $59K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $47K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $375 |
| 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
Mason County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Fire (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| February 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mason County?
Mason County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mason County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $578K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $115K EAL), Lightning (Low, $149K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mason County compare to other Texas counties?
Mason County ranks #212 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mason County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Mason County since 1989, most often 4 for flood events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 2025.
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. Mason County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.