riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Starr County Disaster Risk

Starr County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

85th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Starr County

Risk Verdict

Starr County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Starr County, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (72th), tornado (38th), earthquake (30th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Starr County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Starr County is significantly riskier than the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is 35.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Starr County, TX?
Starr County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 85th 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 Starr County?
Starr County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), hurricane (79th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Starr County risk compare to the Texas average?
Starr County's composite risk percentile is 85th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Starr County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Starr County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Starr County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Starr County is at the 72th 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 Starr County higher risk than average?
Starr County's composite risk score of 85th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (85th percentile), along with hurricane 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

Henderson County

Texas

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Kleberg County

Texas

-0.4

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

San Patricio County

Texas

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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