Lavaca County Disaster Risk
Lavaca County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
79th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#57
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
86th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 54% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lavaca County, Texas
Lavaca faces significant national risk
Lavaca County's composite risk score of 78.94 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that reflects Gulf Coast vulnerability. The county's coastal geography exposes it to hurricane and flood hazards above most U.S. counties.
High-risk among Texas counties
Scoring 78.94 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Lavaca County ranks in the elevated-risk tier statewide. The 61% increase above state average reflects its coastal position and exposure to Atlantic hurricane season.
Comparable to other coastal counties
Lavaca County's risk score of 78.94 nearly matches Kleberg County (84.41) and significantly exceeds inland counties like Lee County (40.46). The county stands out as a regional risk hub.
Floods and hurricanes dominate exposure
Flood risk reaches 85.75 and hurricane risk 84.73—among Texas's highest—making water-related disasters Lavaca's defining threats. The combination of coastal storm surge and inland river flooding creates compounded vulnerability.
Flood and hurricane insurance critical
Lavaca County residents must secure comprehensive flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and ensure homeowners policies include hurricane coverage with wind protection. Elevation, storm shutters, and roof reinforcement provide additional protection against the county's 84.73 hurricane risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lavaca County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lavaca County
Risk Verdict
Lavaca County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 79th percentile across all U.S. counties. Lavaca County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Lavaca County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (54th percentile), wildfire (37th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 86th percentile nationally, Lavaca County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 85th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Lavaca County households.
Regional Context
A composite score 29.9 points above the Texas state average puts Lavaca County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Lavaca County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lavaca County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Lavaca County?
How does Lavaca County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Lavaca County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lavaca 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.