Refugio County Disaster Risk
Refugio County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#152
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
43th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Refugio County, Texas
Refugio County's risk stays below national norm
Refugio County scores 37.47 for composite disaster risk, maintaining a Very Low rating while sitting modestly below the national average. The county's coastal location creates distinct hazard patterns compared to inland areas.
Below-average risk for Texas profile
At 37.47, Refugio County runs below Texas's 49.00 state average despite its Gulf Coast exposure, reflecting a relatively smaller population footprint. This favorable score masks significant hurricane vulnerability concentrated in limited developed areas.
More hurricane-exposed than inland peers
Refugio County's hurricane risk of 87.36 dwarfs that of neighboring Goliad and San Patricio counties, positioning it as the region's most hurricane-vulnerable location. Inland counties like Live Oak face dramatically lower coastal storm exposure.
Hurricane risk dominates the coast here
Hurricane risk scores 87.36—the single highest hazard in Refugio County—reflecting direct Gulf exposure and a history of major storm impacts. Wildfire and flood risks at 56.68 and 42.60 respectively rank as secondary concerns.
Hurricane coverage is essential for residents
Refugio County coastal and near-coastal homeowners must carry dedicated hurricane/windstorm coverage, as standard homeowners policies exclude hurricane damage in coastal zones. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is also critical for properties within storm surge zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Refugio County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Refugio County
Risk Verdict
Refugio County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 37th percentile nationally. The 37th percentile national ranking is one lens; Refugio County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Refugio County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (43th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Refugio County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 87th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Refugio County's wildfire exposure at the 57th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Refugio County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.
Regional Context
The Texas county average exceeds Refugio County's score by 11.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Refugio County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Refugio County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Refugio County?
How does Refugio County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Refugio County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Refugio County a safe place to live?
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.