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

Limestone County Disaster Risk

Limestone County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#110

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Limestone County, Texas

Limestone County's Moderate-to-High Risk

Limestone County scores 59.26 on the composite risk scale, rating Relatively Low but exceeding Texas's state average of 49.00 by 21%. This positions Limestone as a moderate-to-high-risk county where residents face consistent exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Limestone's Standing in Texas

Limestone County's composite risk score of 59.26 places it in the upper-middle range of Texas counties for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk stems from multiple sources—wildfire, tornado, hurricane, and flood—rather than dominance by a single hazard.

Limestone Among Central Texas Peers

Limestone County (59.26) is slightly higher-risk than Leon County (58.30) to the east but substantially lower than Llano County (70.39) to the west. It sits well below Liberty County's 79.52, making Limestone a moderate-risk zone in East-Central Texas.

Limestone's Primary Hazards

Wildfire risk (73.16) and hurricane risk (72.92) are Limestone County's top two threats, with tornado risk (63.42) adding significant exposure to spring severe weather. Flood risk (49.59) rounds out the profile, requiring year-round preparedness across multiple hazard types.

Protecting Limestone County Properties

Limestone County homeowners should carry comprehensive coverage that addresses wind, hail, and wildfire damage, plus flood insurance for the county's moderate flood exposure. Review your policy's tornado and hurricane provisions annually, especially before spring and hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Limestone County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    63th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Limestone County

Risk Verdict

Limestone County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Limestone County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Limestone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (63th percentile), flood (50th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Limestone County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 73th percentile nationally. Limestone County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 73th percentile nationally means Limestone County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Limestone County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

Limestone County's composite risk score sits 10.3 points above the Texas county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Limestone 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 Limestone County, TX?
Limestone County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Limestone County?
Limestone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (73th percentile), hurricane (73th percentile), tornado (63th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Limestone County risk compare to the Texas average?
Limestone County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Limestone County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Limestone County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Limestone County's wildfire risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Limestone County is at the 50th 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 Limestone County higher risk than average?
Limestone County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (73th percentile), along with hurricane and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.