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

Kendall County Disaster Risk

Kendall County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#90

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kendall County, Texas

Kendall's risk sits above national baseline

Kendall County scores 65.49, exceeding the US average and earning a "Relatively Low" risk rating that reflects modest but meaningful hazard exposure. Wildfire and flood risks emerge as the primary drivers of this above-average profile.

Kendall ranks moderate among Texas counties

At 65.49, Kendall sits 34% higher than Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of statewide risk. Wildfire risk of 85.46 is notably elevated compared to most Texas peers.

Kendall moderately exceeds nearby county risks

Kendall's score of 65.49 runs higher than Kent County (1.08) and Kinney County (2.19) but lower than Kerr County (77.16). The Hill Country position exposes Kendall to wildfire and drought conditions its western neighbors largely escape.

Wildfires and tornadoes pose greatest threats

Wildfire risk reaches 85.46—among the state's highest—while tornado risk of 73.57 remains well above average for the region. Dry summers and strong convective systems create a volatile combination.

Prepare for drought-driven wildfire seasons

Homeowner's insurance should explicitly cover wildfire damage; many standard policies exclude it unless added. Create a defensible perimeter around your home by clearing brush, trimming tree branches, and using fire-resistant roofing materials.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kendall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Kendall County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 65th, Kendall County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Kendall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 85th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Kendall County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's flood exposure at the 75th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Kendall County residents.

Regional Context

At 16.5 points above the Texas state average, Kendall County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Texas county.

Is your household prepared for Kendall 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 Kendall County, TX?
Kendall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Kendall County?
Kendall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Kendall County risk compare to the Texas average?
Kendall County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Kendall County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Kendall County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kendall County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Kendall County is at the 75th 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 Kendall County higher risk than average?
Kendall County's composite risk score of 65th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (85th percentile), along with flooding and tornado 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.