Panola County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Panola County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.4, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm 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 Panola County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.4 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.93 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $556K in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $907K in expected annual loss and about 4.97 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Panola 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: Panola County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1987, including 7 for hurricane events and 6 for fire events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Panola County ranks #124 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.93 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.26 / yr | $556K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.97 / yr | $907K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.63 / yr | $819K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $143K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.74 / yr | $76K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $203K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 63.88 / yr | $127K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $407K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $86 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 25.11 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Panola County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1987, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Fire (6), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Marco and Laura |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Panola County?
Panola County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.4 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 Panola County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $556K EAL), Hail (Medium, $907K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Panola County compare to other Texas counties?
Panola County ranks #124 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Panola County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Panola County since 1987, most often 7 for hurricane events and 6 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. Panola County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.