Washington County Disaster Risk
Washington County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
72th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#74
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
73th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Washington County, Texas
Washington's Above-Average Risk Exposure
Washington County scores 71.98 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively low while exceeding the Texas state average of 49.00 by 23 points. This places Washington in the upper range of national risk, well above the median.
Washington's Position Among Texas Counties
Washington County ranks in the upper-middle range of Texas counties for overall disaster risk, with its 71.98 score solidly above the state average. The county faces meaningful but manageable multi-hazard exposure.
Washington Compared to Adjacent Counties
Washington's 71.98 score sits near Waller County (70.26) and Walker County (73.82), placing it in a tight cluster of moderately elevated-risk Southeast Texas counties. All three exceed the state average substantially, reflecting strong regional vulnerability patterns.
Washington's Dominant Threats
Tornadoes pose Washington's greatest hazard with a risk score of 82.63, followed by hurricane exposure at 84.69 and flooding at 72.68. Wildfire risk is more moderate at 48.82, while earthquakes remain minimal at 26.72.
Securing Your Washington Property
Establish a tornado safe room or reinforced shelter space, as tornadoes are your county's defining natural hazard. Combine this with windstorm/hurricane insurance, keep gutters clear to manage flooding, and maintain your roof to withstand the combination of tornadoes and tropical systems that regularly impact the county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Washington County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Washington County
Risk Verdict
Washington County ranks at the 72th 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
Hurricane risk is Washington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (73th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Washington County ranks at the 85th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 83th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Washington County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Washington County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
Compared to other Texas counties, Washington County runs 23.0 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Washington County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Washington County?
How does Washington County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Washington County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Washington County higher risk than average?
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.