Montgomery County

Texas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

High

Composite Risk Score

95.7

National percentile: 96th

Montgomery County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 95.7, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $222M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $222M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 620K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Lightning
Very High $9M/yr
Tornado
Very High $62M/yr
Cold Wave
High $23M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Lightning Very High 69.94 / yr $9M
Tornado Very High 0.89 / yr $62M
Cold Wave High 0.63 / yr $23M
Heat Wave Medium 11.90 / yr $8M
Riverine Flood High 1.68 / yr $94M
Ice Storm Very High 0.90 / yr $2M
Hurricane High 0.14 / yr $18M
Strong Wind High 1.61 / yr $3M
Hail Medium 2.57 / yr $2M
Winter Weather High 1.47 / yr $336K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $426K
Drought Medium 17.14 / yr $547K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $713K
Landslide Very Low 0.14 / yr $2K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montgomery County?

Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 95.7 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $9M EAL), Tornado (Very High, $62M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $23M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Montgomery County compare to other Texas counties?

Montgomery County ranks #14 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.

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. Montgomery County's $222M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.