Karnes County Disaster Risk
Karnes County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
58th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#114
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
64th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% 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 61% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Karnes County, Texas
Karnes faces moderate disaster risk
Karnes County's composite risk score of 58.43 ranks it in the relatively low category but sits above Texas's state average of 49.00. This South-Central Texas county experiences above-average vulnerability to natural hazards.
Above-average risk for Texas
Karnes County's 58.43 score places it in the riskier half of Texas's 254 counties, reflecting its location between coastal and inland zones. The county faces multi-hazard exposure greater than most interior Texas communities.
Moderate risk between coast and plain
Karnes County's composite score sits between nearby inland and coastal counties, with hurricane exposure (85.15) approaching coastal levels. Its position in South-Central Texas creates a hybrid hazard profile more complex than purely inland or purely coastal peers.
Hurricane and flood vulnerabilities
Hurricane risk (85.15) represents Karnes County's highest hazard, reflecting tropical system impacts that reach far inland. Flood risk (63.77) and tornado risk (61.26) present secondary concerns, with wildfire (59.16) contributing to the hazard mix.
Flood insurance strongly recommended
Karnes County residents should secure flood insurance regardless of flood zone designation, given South Texas rainfall patterns. Windstorm coverage is worth evaluating, particularly for homes in mapped hurricane risk areas or with older roofing.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Karnes County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Karnes County
Risk Verdict
Karnes County's FEMA risk score places it at the 58th 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 Karnes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (61th percentile), wildfire (59th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 85th percentile nationally, Karnes 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. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 64th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Karnes County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Karnes County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Texas county average is 9.4 composite points below Karnes County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Karnes County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Karnes County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Karnes County?
How does Karnes County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Karnes County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Karnes 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.