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

Burleson County Disaster Risk

Burleson County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#173

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Burleson County, Texas

Burleson County faces minimal U.S. risk

Burleson County's composite risk score of 29.13 sits well below the national average, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county remains among the safer places in America for natural disaster exposure.

One of Texas's safest counties

At 29.13, Burleson County scores 41 percent below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's lowest-risk counties. This advantage reflects its central location away from coastal and wildfire zones.

Notably safer than surrounding areas

Burleson County's 29.13 score sits substantially below Caldwell County's 79.77 to the north, though hurricane risk does climb to 72.51 due to its southeastern position. Overall, Burleson remains among the most stable counties in its region.

Hurricane risk merits attention

Despite Burleson's low overall risk, hurricane exposure reaches 72.51—the county's highest hazard score—due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Tornadoes and flooding present secondary but manageable risks at 36.55 and 34.92 respectively.

Standard coverage usually suffices here

Burleson County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most perils, though adding hurricane and flood riders is prudent given the 72.51 hurricane risk. Regular roof inspections and storm-resistant shingles provide cost-effective protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Burleson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    37th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Burleson County

Risk Verdict

Burleson County's overall natural disaster score at the 29th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. The 29th percentile national ranking is one lens; Burleson County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Burleson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (37th percentile), flood (35th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 73th percentile nationally makes Burleson County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Burleson County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 43th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Burleson County independent of hurricane season. Burleson County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Burleson County's composite risk score sits 19.9 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Burleson 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 Burleson County, TX?
Burleson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Burleson County?
Burleson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (73th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 73th 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 Burleson County risk compare to the Texas average?
Burleson County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Burleson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Burleson County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Burleson County's hurricane risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Burleson County is at the 35th 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 Burleson County a safe place to live?
Burleson County's composite risk score of 29th 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 hurricane at the 73th 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.