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

Colorado County Disaster Risk

Colorado County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#97

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 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Colorado County, Texas

Colorado County: Moderate Risk Profile

Colorado County scores 62.25, earning a Relatively Low rating and exceeding the national average moderately. The county's risk stems primarily from hurricane and tornado exposure in the South Texas coastal corridor.

Above Texas Average, Below Collin County

At 62.25, Colorado County exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00 by roughly 27%, reflecting significant but manageable natural hazard exposure. It ranks in the upper-middle tier statewide, between low-risk West Texas and the high-risk Dallas metro area.

Higher Risk Than Panhandle Counties

Colorado County (62.25) faces notably higher risk than Coke (3.66), Coleman (20.61), and Collingsworth (27.42) counties farther west. It approaches Comanche County (51.02) and sits below the elevated risks of Collin (98.86) and Comal (92.68).

Hurricane and Tornado Dominate

Hurricane risk (87.98) is Colorado County's most acute hazard, making it one of the top exposures in the state for coastal weather impacts. Tornado risk (71.09) ranks second, and combined these two weather threats create significant seasonal exposure.

Hurricane and Wind Coverage Critical

Colorado County residents near the coast or in flood-prone areas must carry separate flood insurance—their 51.05 flood risk score merits dedicated protection. Ensure your homeowners policy covers hurricane and wind damage, and consider higher coverage limits for both named-storm and tornado-related losses.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Colorado County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    51th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Colorado County

Risk Verdict

Colorado County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 62th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Colorado County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Colorado County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (51th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Colorado 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. Tornado at the 71th percentile nationally is Colorado County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For Colorado 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 13.2 points above the Texas state average puts Colorado County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Colorado 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 Colorado County, TX?
Colorado County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Colorado County?
Colorado County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (88th percentile), tornado (71th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 88th 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 Colorado County risk compare to the Texas average?
Colorado County's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Colorado County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Colorado County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Colorado County's hurricane risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Colorado 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.
Why is Colorado County higher risk than average?
Colorado County's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (88th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.