Lamar County Disaster Risk
Lamar County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
80th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#54
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
62th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lamar County, Texas
Lamar faces significant national risk
Lamar County's composite risk score of 79.55 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that belies concentrated vulnerability. The county's hazard profile reflects its position in Texas's tornado and severe weather corridor.
High-risk among Texas counties
Scoring 79.55 versus the Texas state average of 49.00, Lamar County ranks among the state's elevated-risk areas. The 62% increase above state average reflects exceptional tornado and wildfire exposure.
Riskier than most surrounding areas
Lamar County's 79.55 composite score exceeds comparable counties across the region, approaching Kleberg County's 84.41. Nearby areas face substantially lower risk, making Lamar a regional hotspot.
Tornadoes and wildfires drive risk
Tornado risk reaches 95.74—among the state's highest—making severe convective storms Lamar's defining hazard. Wildfire risk of 86.13 compounds exposure, with earthquake risk of 66.22 adding a third significant concern uncommon in most Texas counties.
Invest in storm shelter and preparedness
Lamar County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that covers wind damage and maintain a certified storm shelter or safe room given the 95.74 tornado risk score. Wildfire insurance riders and earthquake coverage warrant discussion with insurance agents given the county's multi-hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lamar County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lamar County
Risk Verdict
At the 80th percentile nationally, Lamar County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Lamar County.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Lamar County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (66th percentile), flood (62th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Lamar County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 96th percentile nationally. In Lamar County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 86th percentile nationally means Lamar County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Lamar County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Lamar County households.
Regional Context
Lamar County falls 30.5 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 Lamar County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lamar County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Lamar County?
How does Lamar County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Lamar County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lamar 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.