Van Zandt County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Van Zandt County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.8, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Van Zandt County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 58.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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.
Most of Van Zandt County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.30 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $944K in expected annual loss and about 5.81 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 16.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Van Zandt County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Van Zandt County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Van Zandt County ranks #113 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.30 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.81 / yr | $944K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.05 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 26.90 / yr | $768K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.15 / yr | $312K |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.30 / yr | $510K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $272K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.37 / yr | $71K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $199K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $280 |
| 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
Van Zandt County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (4), Fire (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 |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, 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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Van Zandt County?
Van Zandt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Van Zandt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $944K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Van Zandt County compare to other Texas counties?
Van Zandt County ranks #113 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Van Zandt County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Van Zandt County since 1989, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 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. Van Zandt County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.