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

Polk County Disaster Risk

Polk County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Polk County, Texas

Polk County faces above-average disaster risk

Polk County's composite risk score of 75.57 significantly exceeds the national average, classifying it as a relatively low-risk area by Texas standards but still a concern for residents. The county's southeastern location exposes it to hurricanes and severe storms.

Elevated risk among Texas counties

With a composite score of 75.57, Polk County ranks notably above Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. Its Gulf proximity is a major factor in this elevated ranking.

Hotspot in Southeast Texas

Polk County (75.57) faces significantly higher risk than inland Rains County (14.09) but slightly less than its panhandle peers Potter (90.49) and Randall (86.77). Its position in the piney woods near the Gulf makes it uniquely vulnerable to hurricane-driven hazards.

Hurricanes and tornadoes lead the threats

Polk County faces exceptional hurricane risk (89.99) and tornado risk (87.47), making storm preparation critical for residents in this Gulf-adjacent county. Wildfire (75.54) and flood (63.80) risks round out a diverse hazard portfolio.

Invest in comprehensive hurricane protection

Polk County residents must prioritize hurricane coverage including wind and water damage protection, as standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit hurricane damage. Review flood coverage separately, as homeowners policies typically don't cover flood—federal NFIP or private flood insurance is essential.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Polk County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Polk County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Polk County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 76th percentile. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Polk County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (76th percentile), flood (64th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 90th percentile nationally makes Polk County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Polk County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Polk County's tornado exposure at the 87th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Polk County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Polk County is 26.6 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 Polk 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 Polk County, TX?
Polk County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Polk County?
Polk County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), tornado (87th percentile), wildfire (76th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Polk County risk compare to the Texas average?
Polk County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Polk County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Polk County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Polk County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Polk County is at the 64th 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 Polk County higher risk than average?
Polk County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wilson County

Texas

-0.0

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Navarro County

Texas

-0.3

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Val Verde County

Texas

+0.5

Relatively Low

76th 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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