Wharton County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Wharton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.0, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wharton County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 83.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 41.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wharton County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Wharton County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1990, including 11 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl (hurricane), declared in July 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Wharton County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.14 / yr | $14M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.42 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | High | 41.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.21 / yr | $986K |
| Hail | Medium | 1.75 / yr | $500K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.78 / yr | $343K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.74 / yr | $78K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $38K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.03 / yr | $342K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.05 / yr | $28K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $24 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Wharton County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1990, most recently Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Flood (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Marco and Laura |
| July 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hanna |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| April 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
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 Wharton County?
Wharton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wharton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $14M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $6M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wharton County compare to other Texas counties?
Wharton County ranks #41 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wharton County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Wharton County since 1990, most often 11 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Hurricane Beryl, declared in July 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. Wharton County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.