riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Harris County Disaster Risk

Harris County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very High

National Percentile

100th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

100th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Harris County

Risk Verdict

Harris County carries a very high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Harris County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 100th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (100th), earthquake (92th), wildfire (85th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Harris County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Harris County is significantly riskier than the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is 50.9 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Harris County, TX?
Harris County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very High, placing it in the 100th 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 Harris County?
Harris County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (100th percentile), hurricane (100th percentile), flooding (100th percentile), earthquake (92th percentile), wildfire (85th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 100th 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 Harris County risk compare to the Texas average?
Harris County's composite risk percentile is 100th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Harris County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Harris County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Harris County's tornado risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Harris County is at the 100th 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 Harris County higher risk than average?
Harris County's composite risk score of 100th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (100th percentile), along with hurricane and flooding and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dallas County

Texas

-0.3

Very High

100th percentile

Bexar County

Texas

-0.5

Relatively High

99th percentile

Tarrant County

Texas

-0.8

Relatively High

99th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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