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

Victoria County Disaster Risk

Victoria County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

86th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Victoria County, Texas

Victoria Faces Elevated Risk

Victoria County scores 86.48 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively moderate and far exceeding the Texas state average of 49.00 by 37 points. This is among the higher risk levels nationally, placing Victoria in the top tier of exposed counties.

Victoria's Position in Texas

Victoria County ranks as one of the highest-risk counties in Texas, with only a handful of counties scoring higher than its 86.48 composite score. The county's elevated exposure reflects its Gulf Coast location and exposure to multiple hazard types.

Victoria vs. Surrounding Counties

Victoria's 86.48 score exceeds nearby Webb County (89.25) narrowly and is significantly higher than Walker County (73.82) and Washington County (71.98). Victoria's coastal proximity distinguishes it as one of the region's highest-risk counties.

Victoria's Dominant Threats

Hurricane risk towers above all other hazards in Victoria at 96.16, making tropical systems the county's defining disaster concern. Tornadoes (85.24) and wildfire (76.53) pose secondary but significant threats, while flooding reaches 71.15 and earthquake risk remains low at 26.46.

Preparing Victoria Homes for Hurricanes

Hurricane insurance is non-negotiable in Victoria County—standard homeowners policies exclude hurricane damage, so secure a separate windstorm/hurricane policy immediately. Retrofit your home with storm shutters, reinforce your roof, and develop a family evacuation plan, as Victoria's location makes direct hurricane impacts a regular possibility.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Victoria County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    77th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Victoria County

Risk Verdict

With a composite score at the 86th percentile, Victoria County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Victoria County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Victoria County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (77th percentile), flood (71th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 96th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Victoria County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Victoria County's tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Victoria County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

At 37.5 points above the Texas state average, Victoria County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Texas county.

Is your household prepared for Victoria 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 Victoria County, TX?
Victoria County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 86th 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 Victoria County?
Victoria County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (96th percentile), tornado (85th percentile), wildfire (77th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 96th 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 Victoria County risk compare to the Texas average?
Victoria County's composite risk percentile is 86th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Victoria County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Victoria County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Victoria County's hurricane risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Victoria County is at the 71th 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 Victoria County higher risk than average?
Victoria County's composite risk score of 86th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (96th 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.
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.