Milam County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Milam County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.1, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Milam County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $839K in expected annual loss and about 52.36 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $545K in expected annual loss and about 51.47 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Milam County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Milam County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 6 for hurricane events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Milam County ranks #116 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 52.36 / yr | $839K |
| Lightning | High | 51.47 / yr | $545K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.54 / yr | $546K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $897K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.05 / yr | $464K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.63 / yr | $43K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.72 / yr | $42K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.80 / yr | $237K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $139 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Milam County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Fire (4), 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 |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Milam County?
Milam County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Milam County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $839K EAL), Lightning (High, $545K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Milam County compare to other Texas counties?
Milam County ranks #116 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Milam County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Milam County since 1991, most often 6 for hurricane events and 4 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. Milam County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.