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

Milam County Disaster Risk

Milam County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#116

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Milam County, Texas

Milam's risk moderately exceeds national baseline

Milam County's composite risk score of 58.08 surpasses the national average of roughly 50, placing it in the Relatively Low category. The county faces meaningful but manageable exposure to weather-driven hazards across multiple threat types.

Slightly above Texas's average risk

At 58.08, Milam's score edges above Texas's state average of 49.00, reflecting moderate vulnerability within the state's county distribution. The county occupies the middle ground of Texas disaster risk—neither especially high nor particularly low.

Balanced between safer and riskier peers

Milam's score of 58.08 sits between safer counties like Mills (5.60) and higher-risk neighbors like Medina (68.70) and McLennan (91.22). Its Central Texas location exposes it to balanced tornado, flood, and hurricane threats.

Tornado and hurricane drive exposure

Tornado risk of 81.68 and hurricane risk of 77.76 are Milam's two highest hazard scores, both well above state norms. Flood risk at 51.69 adds a third dimension to the county's weather vulnerability profile.

Add flood and windstorm riders promptly

Milam residents should secure flood insurance and windstorm coverage to supplement standard homeowners policies before disaster season arrives. Establish a tornado safe room in your home and keep emergency supplies accessible year-round.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Milam County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    66th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Milam County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Milam County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 58th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Milam County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Milam County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (66th percentile), flood (52th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 82th percentile nationally, Milam County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 78th percentile nationally means Milam County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Milam County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Milam County is 9.1 composite risk points above the Texas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Milam 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 Milam County, TX?
Milam County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Milam County?
Milam County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (82th percentile), hurricane (78th percentile), wildfire (66th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 82th 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 Milam County risk compare to the Texas average?
Milam County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Milam County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Milam County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Milam County's tornado risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Milam County is at the 52th 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 Milam County higher risk than average?
Milam County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (82th 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.
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.