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

Waller County Disaster Risk

Waller County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

66th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% 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 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Waller County, Texas

Waller's Moderate Risk Standing

Waller County scores 70.26 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively low while exceeding the Texas state average of 49.00 by 21 points. This positions Waller above the national median, indicating meaningful but manageable disaster exposure.

Waller's Rank in Texas

Waller County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Texas counties for overall disaster risk, with its 70.26 score comfortably above the state average. The county faces above-average multi-hazard exposure compared to most Texas locations.

Waller Among Local Peers

Waller's 70.26 score sits between Walker County (73.82) and Washington County (71.98), placing it in a cluster of similarly elevated-risk Southeast Texas counties. All three counties exceed the state average substantially, reflecting the region's collective vulnerability.

Waller's Major Hazard Threats

Tornadoes dominate Waller's risk profile with a score of 90.20, followed by hurricane exposure at 83.27 and wildfire risk at 70.71. Flooding reaches 65.65 while earthquake risk remains minimal at 28.53.

Safeguarding Your Waller Home

Tornado readiness is critical—identify a safe room or basement shelter and practice your family's action plan regularly. Secure windstorm insurance for hurricane protection, maintain your roof and gutters, and clear vegetation around your home to reduce exposure to wind-driven debris during severe weather events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Waller County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Waller County

Risk Verdict

At the 70th percentile nationally, Waller County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Waller County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Waller County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (71th percentile), flood (66th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Waller County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 90th percentile nationally. In Waller County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Hurricane is the second hazard driver for Waller County at the 83th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and hurricane-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Waller County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Waller County households.

Regional Context

Waller County falls 21.3 points above Texas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Waller 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 Waller County, TX?
Waller County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Waller County?
Waller County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), hurricane (83th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), flooding (66th percentile), earthquake (29th 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 Waller County risk compare to the Texas average?
Waller County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Waller County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Waller County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Waller County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Waller County is at the 66th 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 Waller County higher risk than average?
Waller County's composite risk score of 70th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Llano County

Texas

+0.1

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Uvalde County

Texas

-0.2

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Hood County

Texas

+0.3

Relatively Low

71th 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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