Jackson County Disaster Risk
Jackson County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
72th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#76
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
55th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, Texas
Jackson County faces substantial coastal risk
Jackson County scores 71.69 on the composite risk scale, exceeding the national average and reflecting a relatively low overall rating despite significant hurricane exposure. The score places the county in the upper-middle risk band nationally, concentrated in coastal hazards.
Elevated risk for Gulf Coast Texas
At 71.69, Jackson County ranks above Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, placing it in the elevated-risk tier among the state's counties. The exposure is driven predominantly by its position in the active hurricane zone.
Hurricane hotspot on Gulf Coast
Jackson County's composite risk of 71.69 exceeds neighboring Matagorda and Wharton counties, primarily due to its exceptional hurricane risk score of 94.03. The county's coastal location creates unmatched tropical system exposure in the immediate region.
Hurricanes dominate threat landscape
Hurricane risk reaches 94.03, positioning Jackson County as one of Texas's most hurricane-vulnerable areas and a direct target for tropical systems. Flood risk at 55.31 and wildfire risk at 63.90 create secondary hazards, compounding the coastal exposure.
Hurricane-specific coverage non-negotiable
Jackson County homeowners must prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address the extreme hurricane threat, plus mandatory separate flood insurance given coastal vulnerability. Hurricane-resistant home improvements—reinforced roof attachment, impact-resistant windows—should be considered as long-term investments.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jackson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jackson County
Risk Verdict
Jackson County ranks at the 72th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (55th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Jackson County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Wildfire at the 64th percentile nationally is Jackson County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Jackson County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
Compared to other Texas counties, Jackson County runs 22.7 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Jackson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jackson County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Jackson County?
How does Jackson County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Jackson County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Jackson County higher risk than average?
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.