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

Hardin County Disaster Risk

Hardin County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hardin County, Texas

Hardin County faces significant disaster risk

Hardin County's composite risk score of 69.56 exceeds the national average by 40%, earning a Relatively Low rating that masks serious exposure to multiple hazards. The Southeast Texas county experiences critical vulnerability to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

High-risk county in Texas

Hardin County ranks well above the Texas state average of 49.00 with a composite score of 69.56, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Its proximity to the Gulf Coast and riverine environments create overlapping disaster exposure.

Riskier than most Southeast Texas peers

Hardin County's disaster profile exceeds that of several neighboring Southeast Texas counties, with particularly acute hurricane and tornado exposure. Its combined flood and storm risk is among the region's highest.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods converge

Hardin County faces a triple threat: hurricane risk of 87.15, tornado risk of 85.05, and flood risk of 66.67—all critically high. The county's location on the Texas Gulf Coast and within major waterway systems creates compound disaster risk that demands serious preparation.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Hardin County residents must carry robust hurricane, flood, and tornado coverage to protect against the county's converging hazards. Standard policies often exclude flood damage—purchase separate flood insurance now, as claims surge during active seasons.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hardin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    83th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hardin County

Risk Verdict

Hardin County's FEMA risk score places it at the 70th 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 Hardin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (83th percentile), flood (67th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 87th percentile nationally, Hardin 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. Hardin County's tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Hardin County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

The Texas county average is 20.6 composite points below Hardin County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Hardin 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 Hardin County, TX?
Hardin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Hardin County?
Hardin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), tornado (85th percentile), wildfire (83th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th 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 Hardin County risk compare to the Texas average?
Hardin County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hardin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Hardin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hardin County's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hardin County is at the 67th 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 Hardin County higher risk than average?
Hardin County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (87th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire 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.