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

Comal County Disaster Risk

Comal County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

93th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

97th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Comal County, Texas

Comal County Faces High Risk

Comal County scores 92.68, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and significantly exceeding the national average for disaster risk. The Hill Country location exposes residents to multiple concurrent hazards, making it one of the riskier counties nationwide.

Among Texas's Highest-Risk Counties

Comal County's score of 92.68 nearly doubles the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the upper risk tier statewide. Only Collin County (98.86) exceeds Comal's exposure in this comparison group, reflecting the Hill Country's inherent vulnerability.

Significantly Riskier Than Most Peers

Comal County (92.68) approaches Collin County (98.86) in risk magnitude and vastly exceeds West Texas neighbors like Coke (3.66) and Concho (4.48). It represents the second-most hazardous location in this eight-county sample.

Flood, Tornado, and Wildfire Converge

Flood risk (96.56), tornado risk (93.23), and wildfire risk (89.31) are all exceptionally high in Comal County, each scoring near or above 89 points. This convergence of three major threats makes it among the most multi-hazard-exposed counties statewide.

Triple-Layer Insurance Essential

Comal County residents must secure separate flood insurance immediately—the 96.56 flood risk score demands it—alongside comprehensive wind and wildfire coverage in their homeowners policy. Review your policy annually before flood and fire seasons, and maintain at least 80% replacement-cost coverage to avoid penalties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Comal County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    93th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Comal County

Risk Verdict

With a composite score at the 93th percentile, Comal County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Comal County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Comal County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (89th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk ranking at the 97th percentile nationally, Comal County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 93th percentile nationally, means Comal County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Registering for Comal County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.

Regional Context

At 43.7 points above the Texas state average, Comal County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Texas county.

Is your household prepared for Comal 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 Comal County, TX?
Comal County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 93th 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 Comal County?
Comal County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (97th percentile), tornado (93th percentile), wildfire (89th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 97th 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 Comal County risk compare to the Texas average?
Comal County's composite risk percentile is 93th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Comal County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Comal County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Comal County's flooding risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Comal County higher risk than average?
Comal County's composite risk score of 93th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (97th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and hurricane 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.