Yoakum County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Yoakum County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.1, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Yoakum County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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 Yoakum County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 78.70 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.56 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $477K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Yoakum County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Yoakum County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1992, including 3 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Yoakum County ranks #140 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 78.70 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.56 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $477K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.26 / yr | $51K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.55 / yr | $385K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $379K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.05 / yr | $65K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.01 / yr | $53K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $10K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $1 |
| 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
Yoakum County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1992, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (3), Hurricane (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| 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 |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 1999 | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazards |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Yoakum County?
Yoakum County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yoakum County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $477K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yoakum County compare to other Texas counties?
Yoakum County ranks #140 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Yoakum County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Yoakum County since 1992, most often 3 for fire events and 3 for hurricane 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. Yoakum County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.