riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Austin County Disaster Risk

Austin County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#131

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Austin County

Risk Verdict

Austin County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 53th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Austin County, scoring in the 77th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 76th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (58th), wildfire (55th), earthquake (22th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Austin County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Austin County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is within 4.1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Texas as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Austin County, TX?
Austin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Austin County?
Austin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), hurricane (76th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), wildfire (55th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Austin County risk compare to the Texas average?
Austin County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Austin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Austin County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Austin County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Austin County is at the 58th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Austin County higher risk than average?
Austin County's composite risk score of 53th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (77th percentile), along with hurricane and flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Zavala County

Texas

+0.5

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Rusk County

Texas

+0.9

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Terry County

Texas

-1.1

Relatively Low

52th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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