Sutton County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Sutton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.1, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sutton County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 7.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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.
Most of Sutton County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $481K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $83K in expected annual loss and about 88.12 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $100K in expected annual loss and about 44.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sutton County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Sutton County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 5 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2025.
Among 254 Texas counties, Sutton County ranks #225 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $481K |
| Drought | Low | 88.12 / yr | $83K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.57 / yr | $100K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.85 / yr | $86K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.16 / yr | $14K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $81 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $29K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $83K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $60K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $41K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $327 |
| 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
Sutton County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Hurricane (3), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, 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 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sutton County?
Sutton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sutton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $481K EAL), Drought (Low, $83K EAL), Lightning (Low, $100K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sutton County compare to other Texas counties?
Sutton County ranks #225 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sutton County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Sutton County since 1993, most often 5 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 2025.
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. Sutton County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.