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

La Salle County Disaster Risk

La Salle County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#187

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% 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 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in La Salle County, Texas

La Salle's risk remains well below average

La Salle County's composite risk score of 22.55 places it solidly below the national average, with a "Very Low" rating. The county benefits from geographic isolation and limited exposure to the state's most severe hazards.

Low-risk profile within Texas

Scoring 22.55 against Texas's state average of 49.00, La Salle County ranks among the state's safer communities. This 55% reduction from state-level risk reflects its inland location and distance from major disaster corridors.

Safer than Kleberg, comparable to Knox

La Salle County's risk score of 22.55 falls below riskier Kleberg County (84.41) but slightly above Knox County (17.84). The county occupies a secure position within its regional context.

Wildfire and hurricane pose modest threats

Wildfire risk reaches 66.00 and hurricane risk 63.37—La Salle's two highest exposures—though both remain manageable compared to coastal counties. Tornado and flood risks (24.49 and 23.44) stay well below state averages.

Standard coverage protects most residents

Basic homeowners insurance provides solid protection for La Salle County residents, though property owners in scrubland areas should maintain defensible perimeters against wildfire. Most residents avoid the need for specialized flood or hurricane coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in La Salle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    66th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    24th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: La Salle County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, La Salle County ranks at the 23th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of La Salle County can use the 23th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is La Salle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (24th percentile), flood (23th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

La Salle County sits at the 66th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for La Salle County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's hurricane exposure at the 63th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In La Salle County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 26.5 points below the Texas state average, La Salle County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for La Salle 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 La Salle County, TX?
La Salle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 La Salle County?
La Salle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (66th percentile), hurricane (63th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 66th 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 La Salle County risk compare to the Texas average?
La Salle County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means La Salle County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is La Salle County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, La Salle County's wildfire risk is at the 66th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, La Salle County is at the 23th 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 La Salle County a safe place to live?
La Salle County's composite risk score of 23th 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 wildfire at the 66th 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.