Hays County
Texas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Hays County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.6, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $109M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 3.90 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | High | 0.33 / yr | $19M |
| Lightning | High | 49.01 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 3.53 / yr | $720K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.75 / yr | $68M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.21 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.50 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.63 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 80.66 / yr | $998K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $202K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $388K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hays County?
Hays County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hays County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $5M EAL), Tornado (High, $19M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hays County compare to other Texas counties?
Hays County ranks #22 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Hays County's $109M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.