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

Liberty County Disaster Risk

Liberty County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Liberty County, Texas

Liberty County Faces Significant Risk

Liberty County scores 79.52 on the composite risk scale, rating Relatively Low but sitting 62% higher than the Texas state average of 49.00. This makes Liberty one of the state's higher-risk counties, with particular vulnerability to multiple hazard types including hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires.

Liberty's Position in Texas

Liberty County ranks among the upper tier of Texas counties for natural disaster risk, with a composite score of 79.52 that reflects substantial exposure to hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. The county's risk profile is notably higher than most of its peers statewide.

Liberty Among Regional Peers

Liberty County (79.52) carries significantly higher risk than Leon County (58.30) to the west and Llano County (70.39) further inland. Its risk level reflects its Gulf Coast proximity and the convergence of hurricane, tornado, and wildfire hazards common to Southeast Texas.

Liberty's Triple Threat

Tornado risk (94.47) ranks as Liberty's most acute hazard, followed closely by hurricane risk (90.15) and wildfire risk (83.59)—creating an unusually complex disaster landscape. Flood risk (68.99) adds another layer, making Liberty County a multi-hazard zone where residents face diverse seasonal and severe weather threats.

Comprehensive Coverage for Liberty Homes

Liberty County residents must secure robust homeowners insurance that covers wind, hail, and tornado damage, plus separate flood insurance given the county's high flood and hurricane exposure. Consider additional wildfire coverage if you're near vegetated areas, and review your policy annually to ensure adequate limits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Liberty County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    84th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Liberty County

Risk Verdict

At the 80th percentile nationally, Liberty 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 Liberty County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Liberty County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (84th percentile), flood (69th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Liberty County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 94th percentile nationally. In Liberty 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. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 90th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Liberty County's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Liberty County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Liberty County households.

Regional Context

Liberty 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 Liberty 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 Liberty County, TX?
Liberty County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th 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 Liberty County?
Liberty County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), hurricane (90th percentile), wildfire (84th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Liberty County risk compare to the Texas average?
Liberty County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Liberty County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Liberty County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Liberty County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Liberty County is at the 69th 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 Liberty County higher risk than average?
Liberty County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (94th percentile), along with hurricane and wildfire and flooding 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

Lamar County

Texas

+0.0

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Caldwell County

Texas

+0.3

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Bowie County

Texas

-0.5

Relatively Low

79th 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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