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

Newton County Disaster Risk

Newton County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#177

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Newton County, Texas

Newton: Very Low Risk Nationally

Newton County scores just 27.16 on the national composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it well below Texas's state average of 49.00. This Southeast Texas county ranks among America's safer communities for natural disaster exposure despite its coastal proximity.

Lowest-Risk County in This Texas Sample

Newton ranks among the very safest counties in Texas by composite risk score, outperforming nearly all peers despite its location in Southeast Texas. The county's rural character and low population density contribute to its exceptional disaster safety profile.

Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Newton's score of 27.16 places it as one of the safest counties in Southeast Texas, substantially lower than nearby more urbanized or flood-prone counties. The county's isolated location and modest development limit exposure to compound hazards that plague more densely populated neighbors.

Hurricane Risk Stands Out Despite Low Overall Score

Newton County faces hurricane risk at 82.35, surprisingly high despite its very low composite score, reflecting its Gulf proximity and tropical storm exposure. Wildfire (75.00) and flood (38.20) risks are moderate, while tornado (45.48) and earthquake (26.62) risks remain minimal.

Hurricane Coverage Important Despite Low Risk

Newton residents should maintain homeowners insurance with windstorm and flood coverage as precautions against hurricane impacts and coastal weather, though overall risk remains very low. Consider the unique hurricane threat when evaluating your coverage, and maintain a basic emergency preparedness plan for tropical systems.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Newton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Newton County

Risk Verdict

At the 27th percentile nationally, Newton County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. The 27th percentile national ranking is one lens; Newton County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Newton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (45th percentile), flood (38th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Newton County ranks at the 82th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 75th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Newton County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Newton County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 21.8 points below the Texas state average puts Newton County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Newton 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 Newton County, TX?
Newton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Newton County?
Newton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (82th percentile), wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane 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 Newton County risk compare to the Texas average?
Newton County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Newton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Newton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Newton County's hurricane risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Newton County is at the 38th 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.
Is Newton County a safe place to live?
Newton County's composite risk score of 27th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Collingsworth County

Texas

+0.3

Very Low

27th percentile

Donley County

Texas

-0.5

Very Low

27th percentile

Runnels County

Texas

-0.7

Very Low

26th percentile

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.

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