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

San Jacinto County Disaster Risk

San Jacinto County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#112

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

61th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in San Jacinto County, Texas

San Jacinto County exceeds national risk

San Jacinto County's composite risk score of 58.87 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, exceeding the national average of 44.0 by nearly 35 percent. The county faces above-average exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornados and hurricanes.

Higher than typical Texas county

At 58.87, San Jacinto County scores 10 points above Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking in the upper-middle tier of statewide risk. This elevation reflects the county's position in a tornado-prone region combined with substantial hurricane vulnerability.

Higher risk than most surrounding areas

San Jacinto County (58.87) carries significantly greater risk than neighboring San Augustine County (17.62) and Sabine County (22.11), though Rusk County (54.01) presents comparable threats. The county faces notably higher tornado risk than its immediate peers.

Tornados pose extreme threat

Tornado risk dominates at 90.01—among the highest in the state—making spring severe weather a critical safety concern for San Jacinto County residents. Hurricane risk scores 74.51, and combined with wildfire risk of 68.35, the county faces a diverse hazard landscape.

Invest in tornado and wind protection

San Jacinto County's extremely high tornado risk demands that homeowners prioritize wind and hail coverage in their insurance policies. Install or designate a safe room for severe weather, maintain emergency supplies, and ensure your policy clearly covers tornado damage, hail, and high winds.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in San Jacinto County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: San Jacinto County

Risk Verdict

San Jacinto County ranks at the 59th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is San Jacinto County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (68th percentile), flood (61th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

San Jacinto County ranks at the 90th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in San Jacinto County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Hurricane is the second hazard driver for San Jacinto County at the 75th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and hurricane-specific warning systems. San Jacinto County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Texas counties, San Jacinto County runs 9.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for San Jacinto 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 San Jacinto County, TX?
San Jacinto County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 San Jacinto County?
San Jacinto County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), hurricane (75th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado 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 San Jacinto County risk compare to the Texas average?
San Jacinto County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means San Jacinto County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is San Jacinto County at risk for tornado?
Yes, San Jacinto County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, San Jacinto County is at the 61th 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 San Jacinto County higher risk than average?
San Jacinto County's composite risk score of 59th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (90th 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.