Natural Disasters in Merkel, TX
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
83.8
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
84.7
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
34.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
76.5
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hail | 99.3 |
| Winter Weather | 94.2 |
| Wildfire | 89.7 |
| Lightning | 87.7 |
| Heat Wave | 86.8 |
| Tornado | 73.9 |
| Drought | 72.8 |
| Strong Wind | 65.2 |
| Ice Storm | 59.4 |
| Cold Wave | 56.2 |
| Hurricane | 49.0 |
| Earthquake | 38.5 |
| Landslide | 20.8 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
22
Most Recent
Fire
May 2022
Most Common Type
Fire
7 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2022 | Fire | MESQUITE HEAT FIRE |
| Feb 19, 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Feb 14, 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 5, 2009 | Fire | TUSCOLA FIRE |
| Feb 27, 2009 | Fire | RHODES RANCH FIRE |
| Mar 14, 2008 | Fire | WILDFIRES |
| Oct 2, 2007 | Severe Storm | TROPICAL STORM ERIN |
| Jun 29, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Jan 11, 2006 | Fire | EXTREME WILDFIRE THREAT |
| Sep 24, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE RITA |
| Sep 21, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE RITA |
| Sep 2, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jul 4, 2002 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Sep 1, 1999 | Fire | EXTREME FIRE HAZARDS |
| Aug 26, 1998 | Severe Storm | TROPICAL STORM CHARLEY |
| Feb 23, 1996 | Fire | EXTREME FIRE HAZARD |
| Sep 10, 1993 | Drought | EXTREME FIRE HAZARD |
| May 2, 1990 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 22 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
935
Total Claims Paid
$15,633,929
Avg Claim Payout
$16,721
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$13,526,939
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
37
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4485 | Biological | 6 | $12,915,100 |
| DR-4586 | Winter Storm | 9 | $498,883 |
| DR-1709 | Severe Storm(s) | 22 | $112,955 |
Merkel has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hail, winter weather, wildfire. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is fire (7 declarations). 935 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $13,526,939 in public assistance recovery funding.