Starr County
Texas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Starr County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.8, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Very High | 2.53 / yr | $18M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $369K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.05 / yr | $875K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $861K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Medium | 75.98 / yr | $275K |
| Hail | Low | 0.56 / yr | $268K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $74K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.58 / yr | $25K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $427K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $179 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.96 / yr | $39K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $65K |
| 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 Starr County?
Starr County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Starr County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Very High, $18M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $369K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $875K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Starr County compare to other Texas counties?
Starr County ranks #35 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. Starr County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.