Brooks County Disaster Risk
Brooks County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
61th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#105
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
18th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Brooks County, Texas
Brooks risk moderately exceeds national average
Brooks County's composite risk score of 60.81 ranks Relatively Low but sits 24% above the national average. This South Texas county faces above-average but manageable natural disaster exposure.
Above-average risk for Texas
Brooks's 60.81 score exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00 by 24%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk. Hurricane threat drives much of this elevated exposure.
Moderate risk in South Texas context
Brooks (60.81) sits between safer inland counties like Briscoe (8.75) and riskier coastal neighbors like Brazoria (93.64). Its position near the Gulf puts it at elevated hurricane risk compared to central Texas peers.
Hurricanes dominate the hazard profile
Hurricane risk of 81.60 makes Brooks one of Texas's highest-threat counties for tropical systems, reflecting its South Texas Gulf proximity. Wildfire risk (60.08) presents a secondary concern; tornado, flood, and earthquake risks remain below state averages.
Hurricane and windstorm coverage essential
Brooks County residents should carry comprehensive windstorm/hail insurance and consider flood coverage despite lower flood risk scores. Storm shutters, reinforced roofing, and a family hurricane plan are critical investments for this hurricane-exposed county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Brooks County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Brooks County
Risk Verdict
Brooks County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 61th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Brooks County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Brooks County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (21th percentile), flood (18th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 82th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Brooks County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Wildfire at the 60th percentile nationally is Brooks County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For Brooks County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.
Regional Context
A composite score 11.8 points above the Texas state average puts Brooks County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Brooks County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Brooks County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Brooks County?
How does Brooks County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Brooks County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Brooks County higher risk than average?
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.