Palo Pinto County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Palo Pinto County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.2, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Palo Pinto County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 55.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.70 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $7K in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Palo Pinto County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Palo Pinto County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1981, including 11 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Palo Pinto County ranks #125 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.70 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.76 / yr | $886K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.37 / yr | $536K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.76 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.46 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | Low | 60.86 / yr | $209K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.89 / yr | $64K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.71 / yr | $159K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $32K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.76 / yr | $40K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| 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
Palo Pinto County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1981, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (11), Severe Storm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| August 2011 | Fire | 101 Ranch Fire |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2011 | Fire | Hohertz Fire |
| April 2011 | Fire | Pk East Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Palo Pinto County?
Palo Pinto County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Palo Pinto County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $7K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Palo Pinto County compare to other Texas counties?
Palo Pinto County ranks #125 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Palo Pinto County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Palo Pinto County since 1981, most often 11 for fire events and 4 for severe 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. Palo Pinto County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.