Maverick County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX

Low

Composite Risk Score

64.2

National percentile: 64th

Maverick County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.2, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Risk Overview

Overall natural disaster risk in Maverick County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 64.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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.

Risk here concentrates in heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.95 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $567K in expected annual loss and about 105.63 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $372K in expected annual loss and about 36.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 58K.

Beyond physical exposure, Maverick 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.

History supports the rating: Maverick County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 4 for hurricane events and 2 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.

Among 254 Texas counties, Maverick County ranks #93 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $13M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 58K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Medium $2M/yr
Medium $567K/yr
Medium $372K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Heat Wave Medium 6.95 / yr$2M
Drought Medium 105.63 / yr$567K
Lightning Medium 36.13 / yr$372K
Riverine Flood Medium 1.64 / yr$8M
Tornado Medium 0.11 / yr$1M
Hurricane Low 0.04 / yr$215K
Winter Weather Low 0.95 / yr$37K
Hail Low 0.82 / yr$149K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr$25K
Cold Wave Low 0.37 / yr$434K
Landslide Very Low 0.13 / yr$172
Strong Wind Low 0.23 / yr$98K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr$14K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.01 / yr$4K
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

Maverick County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Severe Ice Storm (2), Biological (2).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
February 2021Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
February 2021Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
August 2010HurricaneHurricane Alex
March 2008FireWildfires
May 2007Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
January 2006FireExtreme Wildfire Threat
September 2005HurricaneHurricane Rita
September 2005HurricaneHurricane Rita

Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Maverick County?

Maverick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Maverick County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $567K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $372K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Maverick County compare to other Texas counties?

Maverick County ranks #93 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Maverick County had?

FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Maverick County since 1990, most often 4 for hurricane events and 2 for severe ice storm 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. Maverick County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.