Rockwall County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Rockwall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.7, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $46M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Rockwall County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 70.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 8.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 18.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $46M in expected annual loss for a population of 108K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rockwall County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Rockwall County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 3 for severe storm events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Rockwall County ranks #78 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.14 / yr | $16M |
| Hail | Medium | 8.00 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.00 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.41 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $211K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $15M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.27 / yr | $165K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $301K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.01 / yr | $238K |
| Drought | Low | 23.11 / yr | $67K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $31K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.21 / yr | $52K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $87 |
| 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
Rockwall County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Fire (3), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rockwall County?
Rockwall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rockwall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $16M EAL), Hail (Medium, $4M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rockwall County compare to other Texas counties?
Rockwall County ranks #78 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rockwall County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Rockwall County since 1966, most often 3 for severe storm events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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. Rockwall County's $46M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.