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

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#147

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lee County, Texas

Lee County's risk stays manageable

Lee County's composite risk score of 40.46 falls below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating. The county's central Texas location provides reasonable protection from major hazard zones.

Below-average among Texas counties

Scoring 40.46 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Lee County ranks among the lower-risk counties statewide. The 17% reduction from state average reflects a secure geographic position.

Safer than coastal but riskier than interior

Lee County's 40.46 score sits between safer Lampasas County (29.93) and riskier Kleberg County (84.41). The county occupies a moderate position within its broader regional context.

Hurricane and tornado warrant attention

Hurricane risk of 72.59 represents Lee County's highest exposure, likely reflecting inland tropical storm moisture and wind effects. Tornado risk of 56.93 presents a secondary concern, while flood and wildfire risks remain below state averages.

Standard coverage with hurricane rider advised

Lee County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and consider adding a hurricane wind coverage rider given the 72.59 hurricane risk score. Basement or interior safe rooms provide affordable protection against the 56.93 tornado risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

Lee County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 40th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 40th percentile nationally is an advantage for Lee County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (46th percentile), flood (21th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 73th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Lee County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Tornado at the 57th percentile nationally is Lee County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Lee County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Lee County falls 8.5 points below Texas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lee 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 Lee County, TX?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (73th percentile), tornado (57th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), earthquake (14th 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 Lee County risk compare to the Texas average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Lee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lee County's hurricane risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 21th 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 Lee County a safe place to live?
Lee County's composite risk score of 40th 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.