riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

McLennan County Disaster Risk

McLennan County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#20

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

89th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Advisory: McLennan County

Risk Verdict

McLennan County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for McLennan County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (89th), hurricane (81th), earthquake (64th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, McLennan County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. 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

McLennan County is significantly riskier than the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is 42.2 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 McLennan County, TX?
McLennan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 McLennan County?
McLennan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), wildfire (90th percentile), flooding (89th percentile), hurricane (81th percentile), earthquake (64th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th 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 McLennan County risk compare to the Texas average?
McLennan County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means McLennan County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is McLennan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, McLennan County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, McLennan County is at the 89th 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 McLennan County higher risk than average?
McLennan County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and hurricane and earthquake 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

Bell County

Texas

-0.1

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Guadalupe County

Texas

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Hays County

Texas

-0.7

Relatively Moderate

91th 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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