Parker County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Parker County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.1, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $53M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Parker County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Parker County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $18M in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 15.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $53M in expected annual loss for a population of 148K.
Beyond physical exposure, Parker County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Parker County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Parker County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.84 / yr | $18M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 15.16 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.24 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $17M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.91 / yr | $262K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.42 / yr | $533K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.18 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $55K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $196K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.84 / yr | $44K |
| Drought | Low | 42.33 / yr | $44K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.69 / yr | $286K |
| 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
Parker County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (5), Fire (5).
| 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 |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
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 Parker County?
Parker County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Parker County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $18M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $6M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Parker County compare to other Texas counties?
Parker County ranks #49 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Parker County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Parker County since 1974, most often 6 for flood events and 5 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. Parker County's $53M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.