Wilson County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Wilson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.5, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wilson County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.51 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 69.93 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $23M in expected annual loss and about 2.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 50K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wilson County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Wilson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 4 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Wilson County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.51 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 69.93 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.29 / yr | $23M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.00 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $180K |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.43 / yr | $399K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $286K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.84 / yr | $68K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.98 / yr | $488K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $675K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.23 / yr | $35K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $40 |
| 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
Wilson County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Severe Storm (3), Fire (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| November 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| June 2010 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Alex |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wilson County?
Wilson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $23M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilson County compare to other Texas counties?
Wilson County ranks #67 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wilson County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Wilson County since 1993, most often 4 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 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. Wilson County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.