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

Kenedy County Disaster Risk

Kenedy County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

28th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#174

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kenedy County, Texas

Kenedy ranks among lowest US risk counties

Kenedy County's composite score of 28.37 places it well below the national average, with a "Very Low" overall rating. However, hurricane risk of 73.09 creates a notable concentrated vulnerability that deserves serious attention.

Kenedy is one of Texas's safest counties

Scoring just 28.37 against the Texas state average of 49.00, Kenedy ranks among the state's lowest-risk counties. This safety advantage stems from its remote inland location, though coastal proximity brings hurricane exposure.

Kenedy vastly outpaces regional risk averages

With a score of 28.37, Kenedy is dramatically safer than Kerr County (77.16) and Kendall County (65.49) in the region. Its remote South Texas position creates exceptional insulation from most hazard types except hurricanes.

Hurricanes drive virtually all risk here

Hurricane risk of 73.09 dominates Kenedy's risk profile, while all other hazards score below 50. The county's proximity to the Gulf Coast makes tropical storm season the defining natural hazard threat.

Hurricane coverage is non-negotiable here

Homeowner's insurance with robust hurricane and wind coverage is essential; consider a separate windstorm policy from the Texas FAIR Plan if standard insurers balk. Secure outdoor items, maintain roof integrity, and establish an evacuation plan during hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kenedy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    45th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    5th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Kenedy County

Risk Verdict

Kenedy County's overall natural disaster score at the 28th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Kenedy County residents can take confidence from a 28th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Kenedy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (5th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flood (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 73th percentile nationally makes Kenedy County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Kenedy County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 45th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Kenedy County independent of hurricane season. Kenedy County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Kenedy County's composite risk score sits 20.6 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Kenedy 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 Kenedy County, TX?
Kenedy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 28th 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 Kenedy County?
Kenedy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (73th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flooding (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 73th 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 Kenedy County risk compare to the Texas average?
Kenedy County's composite risk percentile is 28th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Kenedy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Kenedy County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Kenedy County's hurricane risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Kenedy County is at the 0th 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.
Is Kenedy County a safe place to live?
Kenedy County's composite risk score of 28th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 73th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.