riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Blanco County Disaster Risk

Blanco County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#164

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Blanco County, Texas

Blanco County Ranks Below National Average

Blanco County scores 33.02 on the composite risk index, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average. This Hill Country location enjoys lower-than-typical natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Texas's Safest Counties

Blanco County's 33.02 score sits significantly below Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk locations. Few Texas counties offer comparable safety across all hazard types.

Safest in the Hill Country

Blanco County's 33.02 score beats neighboring Bandera (66.70) and Burnet counties, making it one of the region's safest locations. Its elevation and distance from major storm tracks provide natural protection.

Wildfire and Flood Are Secondary Concerns

Wildfire risk (74.84) and flood risk (51.43) represent Blanco County's main hazards, reflecting Hill Country terrain and creeks. Tornado risk (41.98) remains moderate, while earthquake risk (1.84) is virtually negligible.

Standard Coverage Meets Most Needs

Blanco County homeowners should maintain standard homeowners coverage with adequate wildfire protection and consider flood insurance near creek areas. Your county's low overall risk means standard policies typically suffice without premium add-ons.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Blanco County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    51th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Blanco County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Blanco County ranks at the 33th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 33th percentile national ranking is one lens; Blanco County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Blanco County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (51th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Blanco County sits at the 75th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Blanco County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's hurricane exposure at the 52th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Blanco County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 16.0 points below the Texas state average, Blanco County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Blanco County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Blanco County, TX?
Blanco County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th 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 Blanco County?
Blanco County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (75th percentile), hurricane (52th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 75th 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 Blanco County risk compare to the Texas average?
Blanco County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Blanco County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Blanco County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Blanco County's wildfire risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Blanco County is at the 51th 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.
Is Blanco County a safe place to live?
Blanco County's composite risk score of 33th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.