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

DeWitt County Disaster Risk

DeWitt County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

84th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

89th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% 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 21% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in DeWitt County, Texas

DeWitt County faces substantial disaster risk

DeWitt County's composite risk score of 83.91 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, well above the national average. This South Texas Gulf Coast region experiences concentrated exposure to weather and water hazards.

Mid-range risk for Texas

At 83.91, DeWitt County scores significantly above the Texas state average of 49.00, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. The county's proximity to the Gulf Coast and inland waterways creates distinct vulnerability patterns.

Gulf proximity drives regional risk

DeWitt's 83.91 score exceeds nearby inland counties but reflects the shared hurricane exposure of South Texas coastal zones. Counties farther inland like Dimmit (35.88) demonstrate how Gulf proximity dramatically elevates composite risk.

Hurricanes and floods reign supreme

Hurricane risk of 90.28 and flood risk of 89.22 are DeWitt's primary concerns, reflecting its Gulf Coast and river-bottom geography. Tornado risk (70.74) and wildfire risk (67.59) round out a formidable hazard portfolio.

Flood and hurricane coverage essential

Flood insurance is non-negotiable given the 89.22 flood and 90.28 hurricane scores; standard homeowners policies exclude both. Ensure your policy explicitly covers hurricane/wind damage, maintain year-round property maintenance, and establish a family evacuation plan for storm season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in DeWitt County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    71th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: DeWitt County

Risk Verdict

DeWitt County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 84th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in DeWitt County.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is DeWitt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (71th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

DeWitt County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 90th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 89th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for DeWitt County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for DeWitt County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

DeWitt County falls 34.9 points above Texas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for DeWitt 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 DeWitt County, TX?
DeWitt County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 84th 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 DeWitt County?
DeWitt County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), flooding (89th percentile), tornado (71th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 DeWitt County risk compare to the Texas average?
DeWitt County's composite risk percentile is 84th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means DeWitt County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is DeWitt County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, DeWitt County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, DeWitt County is at the 89th 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 DeWitt County higher risk than average?
DeWitt County's composite risk score of 84th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and wildfire 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.