Sterling County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Sterling County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.1, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sterling County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 1.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $754K in expected annual loss and about 58.19 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $187K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Very Low risk — $87K in expected annual loss and about 4.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sterling County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Sterling County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 4 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Sterling County ranks #250 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 58.19 / yr | $754K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $187K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $87K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $94K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 9.21 / yr | $24K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.73 / yr | $80K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.00 / yr | $7K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $50K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.65 / yr | $14K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $3 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $218K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $850 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $369 |
| 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
Sterling County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Hurricane (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| 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 |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 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 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sterling County?
Sterling County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sterling County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $754K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $187K EAL), Hail (Very Low, $87K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sterling County compare to other Texas counties?
Sterling County ranks #250 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sterling County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Sterling County since 1993, most often 4 for fire events and 3 for hurricane 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. Sterling County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.