Wichita County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Wichita County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.9, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wichita County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd 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.
Most of Wichita County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 8.98 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 101.66 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 15.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $40M in expected annual loss for a population of 129K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wichita County has a 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: Wichita County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 9 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was County Line Fire (fire), declared in December 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Wichita County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 8.98 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 101.66 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 15.79 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.47 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.00 / yr | $747K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.05 / yr | $201K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $18M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.11 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.51 / yr | $785K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $534K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $51K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.29 / yr | $163K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $218 |
| 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
Wichita County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently County Line Fire in December 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (9), Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2021 | Fire | County Line Fire |
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2011 | Fire | Sisk Road Fire |
| April 2011 | Fire | Wichita Fire Complex |
| April 2009 | Fire | Electra West Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wichita County?
Wichita County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wichita County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $3M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wichita County compare to other Texas counties?
Wichita County ranks #44 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wichita County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Wichita County since 1979, most often 9 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was County Line Fire, declared in December 2021.
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. Wichita County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.