Wise County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Wise County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.0, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire 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 Wise County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 59.0 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 9.89 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 14.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 69K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wise County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Wise County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1981, including 6 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Wise County ranks #111 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.89 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.68 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.92 / yr | $216K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.03 / yr | $517K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $149K |
| Drought | Low | 31.66 / yr | $50K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.26 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.06 / yr | $81K |
| 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
Wise County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1981, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (6), Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (4).
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wise County?
Wise County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.0 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 Wise County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wise County compare to other Texas counties?
Wise County ranks #111 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wise County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Wise County since 1981, most often 6 for fire events and 5 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. Wise County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.