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

Jim Wells County Disaster Risk

Jim Wells County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

87th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jim Wells County, Texas

Jim Wells faces significant disaster risk

Jim Wells County's composite risk score of 86.51 ranks it in the relatively moderate category, nearly 1.8 times higher than Texas's state average of 49.00. This coastal South Texas county sits in the upper tier of hazard exposure nationwide.

High-risk standing in Texas

Jim Wells County's 86.51 score places it well above the median Texas county, with particularly elevated exposure to hurricane, flood, and tornado hazards. Among the state's 254 counties, this ranking reflects substantial vulnerability requiring serious preparation.

Riskier than inland South Texas

Jim Wells County's composite score significantly exceeds nearby Jim Hogg County (45.45), driven primarily by dramatically higher hurricane (94.08 vs. 65.50) and flood (63.26 vs. 23.16) scores. Its proximity to the Gulf makes it far more vulnerable to tropical systems.

Hurricanes lead the hazard list

Hurricane risk scores highest at 94.08, making Jim Wells County acutely vulnerable to storm surge and tropical rainfall. Flood (63.26) and tornado (68.42) risks round out serious concerns, creating a volatile weather environment.

Flood and hurricane coverage required

Jim Wells County residents must prioritize separate flood insurance and windstorm/hurricane coverage—these are essential, not optional. Check policy limits annually and ensure they reflect current replacement costs for your home and belongings.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jim Wells County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jim Wells County

Risk Verdict

Jim Wells County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 87th 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 Jim Wells County.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jim Wells County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (68th percentile), flood (63th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jim Wells County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 94th 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. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 71th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Jim Wells 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 Jim Wells County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Jim Wells County falls 37.5 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 Jim Wells 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 Jim Wells County, TX?
Jim Wells County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 87th 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 Jim Wells County?
Jim Wells County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (94th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), tornado (68th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 94th 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 Jim Wells County risk compare to the Texas average?
Jim Wells County's composite risk percentile is 87th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jim Wells County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Jim Wells County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jim Wells County's hurricane risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jim Wells County is at the 63th 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 Jim Wells County higher risk than average?
Jim Wells County's composite risk score of 87th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (94th percentile), along with wildfire and tornado and flooding 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

Victoria County

Texas

-0.0

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Johnson County

Texas

+0.2

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Randall County

Texas

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

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.

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