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

Leon County Disaster Risk

Leon County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#115

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

39th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Leon County, Texas

Leon County's Risk Snapshot

Leon County scores 58.30 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting well above the Texas state average of 49.00. This means Leon faces more natural disaster exposure than most Texas counties, driven by multiple hazard types rather than any single dominant threat.

How Leon Ranks in Texas

Leon County's composite risk of 58.30 places it in the middle range of Texas counties—not among the most dangerous, but notably higher-risk than the state average. The county's elevated score reflects consistent exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and tornadoes.

Leon vs. Surrounding Counties

Leon County (58.30) sits between Limestone County (59.26) to the south and Llano County (70.39) to the west, making it a moderate-risk zone in central Texas. Its risk profile is substantially lower than Liberty County (79.52) to the east, but higher than Live Oak County (33.75) to the south.

Top Threats in Leon County

Hurricane risk (74.72) and tornado risk (61.10) are Leon County's dominant hazards, reflecting the region's exposure to Gulf storm systems and severe spring weather. Wildfire risk (57.54) rounds out the top three, making multi-hazard preparedness essential for residents.

Insurance for Leon County Homes

Leon County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that covers wind and hail damage from hurricanes and tornadoes. Consider separate flood insurance, as Leon's flood risk score (39.41) suggests meaningful exposure during heavy rain events and Gulf surges.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Leon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Leon County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Leon County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 58th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Leon County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Leon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (58th percentile), flood (39th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 75th percentile nationally makes Leon County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Leon County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Leon County's tornado exposure at the 61th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Leon 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

Leon County is 9.3 composite risk points above the Texas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Leon 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 Leon County, TX?
Leon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Leon County?
Leon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), wildfire (58th percentile), flooding (39th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 75th 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 Leon County risk compare to the Texas average?
Leon County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Leon County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Leon County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Leon County's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Leon County is at the 39th 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.
Why is Leon County higher risk than average?
Leon County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (75th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Karnes County

Texas

+0.1

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Milam County

Texas

-0.2

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Fayette County

Texas

-0.3

Relatively Low

58th percentile

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.

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