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

Grimes County Disaster Risk

Grimes County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

57th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#120

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grimes County, Texas

Grimes County faces moderate hurricane risk

Grimes County's composite risk score of 56.97 ranks as relatively low, slightly above the Texas state average of 49.00. The county's hurricane risk of 84.94 is notably elevated for its inland location, reflecting Gulf Coast storm exposure.

Inland but hurricane-vulnerable

Grimes County ranks well below Texas's highest-risk counties but faces above-average hurricane exposure (84.94) and moderate tornado risk (75.99). Its location between Houston and the Gulf Coast leaves the county vulnerable to tropical storms and their inland moisture and rainfall.

Lower risk than coastal neighbors

Grimes County's score of 56.97 is substantially lower than neighboring Gonzales County (85.66) and Guadalupe County (91.51), both closer to the coast. However, its hurricane score exceeds many inland Texas counties, reflecting its proximity to Gulf systems.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are dual threats

Grimes County faces elevated hurricane risk (84.94) from Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems, along with moderate tornado risk (75.99) from spring severe weather. Wildfire risk (59.38) represents a secondary but growing threat in the county.

Secure flood and wind coverage

Grimes County residents should maintain separate flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage—critical given the county's 84.94 hurricane risk. Ensure your policy includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage, and trim trees around your home to reduce storm damage risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grimes County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grimes County

Risk Verdict

Grimes County's FEMA risk score places it at the 57th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Grimes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (59th percentile), flood (35th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 85th percentile nationally, Grimes County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Tornado at the 76th percentile nationally is Grimes County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Grimes County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

The Texas county average is 8.0 composite points below Grimes County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Grimes 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 Grimes County, TX?
Grimes County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 57th 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 Grimes County?
Grimes County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (85th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), wildfire (59th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 85th 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 Grimes County risk compare to the Texas average?
Grimes County's composite risk percentile is 57th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grimes County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Grimes County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Grimes County's hurricane risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Grimes 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.
Why is Grimes County higher risk than average?
Grimes County's composite risk score of 57th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (85th percentile), along with 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.