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

Medina County Disaster Risk

Medina County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#84

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% 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 15% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Medina County, Texas

Medina's risk runs moderately above average

Medina County's composite risk score of 68.70 exceeds the national average of roughly 50, earning a Relatively Low rating overall. The county faces meaningful but manageable exposure to several disaster types, primarily from weather-related hazards.

Middle-of-the-road within Texas

At 68.70, Medina's score sits above Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the moderate-risk zone among the state's counties. The county is notably less vulnerable than high-risk neighbors like Midland but more exposed than its safest peers.

Riskier than some, safer than McLennan

Medina's score of 68.70 exceeds nearby Milam County (58.08) and Mills County (5.60) but remains well below McLennan County (91.22). Its balanced risk profile reflects a mix of flood, wildfire, and tornado exposure typical of South-Central Texas.

Wildfire and flood pose top threats

Wildfire risk in Medina reaches 85.24, and flood risk scores 77.23—both substantially elevated compared to state norms. Tornado risk at 60.88 adds a third dimension to the county's weather vulnerability.

Prioritize flood and windstorm protection

Medina residents should secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program before it's needed—standard policies exclude flood damage. Add windstorm coverage for wildfire-related wind exposure and maintain defensible space around your property.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Medina County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    61th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Medina County

Risk Verdict

Medina County's FEMA risk score places it at the 69th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Medina County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (61th percentile), hurricane (59th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Medina County sits at the 85th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Medina County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's flood exposure at the 77th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Medina County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

The Texas county average is 19.7 composite points below Medina County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Medina 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 Medina County, TX?
Medina County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Medina County?
Medina County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), hurricane (59th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Medina County risk compare to the Texas average?
Medina County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Medina County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Medina County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Medina County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Medina County is at the 77th 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 Medina County higher risk than average?
Medina County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (85th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and hurricane 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.