riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Matagorda County Disaster Risk

Matagorda County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

68th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Matagorda County

Risk Verdict

Matagorda County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 80th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Matagorda County, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 74th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (68th), tornado (60th), earthquake (20th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Matagorda County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Matagorda County is significantly riskier than the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is 31.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Matagorda County, TX?
Matagorda 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 Matagorda County?
Matagorda County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (96th percentile), wildfire (74th percentile), flooding (68th percentile), tornado (60th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 96th 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 Matagorda County risk compare to the Texas average?
Matagorda 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 Matagorda County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Matagorda County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Matagorda County's hurricane risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Matagorda County is at the 68th 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 Matagorda County higher risk than average?
Matagorda County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (96th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and tornado 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

Grayson County

Texas

-0.0

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Nacogdoches County

Texas

+0.4

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Caldwell County

Texas

-0.6

Relatively Low

80th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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