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

Bailey County Disaster Risk

Bailey County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#143

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bailey County, Texas

Bailey County's Risk: Well Below National Average

Bailey County scores 42.43 on the composite risk index, landing in the Very Low category and well beneath the national average. This West Texas county faces significantly less overall natural disaster risk than most American counties, reflecting its location on the relatively stable High Plains.

Among Texas's Safest Counties

Bailey County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Texas, with a composite score of 42.43 compared to the state average of 49.00. Its Very Low risk rating puts it in the upper tier of safety for the state.

Safer Than Regional Neighbors

Bailey County's score of 42.43 beats nearby Parmer and Cochran counties in overall resilience. Its isolation on the plains and distance from major weather systems keeps it more protected than counties further east.

Wildfire Is Your Primary Concern

Wildfire risk dominates Bailey County's profile at 88.90, driven by dry conditions and grassland terrain. Tornado risk (42.40) and hurricane risk (38.30) pose secondary threats, though they remain moderate compared to the wildfire hazard.

Prioritize Wildfire and Wind Coverage

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive coverage for wildfire damage and secure wind/hail protection, even though overall risk is low. A standard homeowners policy with adequate limits protects against the county's primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bailey County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bailey County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Bailey County ranks at the 42th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 42th percentile, Bailey County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Bailey County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (38th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), flood (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bailey County sits at the 89th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Bailey County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 42th percentile nationally means Bailey County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Bailey County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 6.6 points below the Texas state average, Bailey County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Bailey 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 Bailey County, TX?
Bailey County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Bailey County?
Bailey County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), flooding (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Bailey County risk compare to the Texas average?
Bailey County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bailey County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Bailey County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bailey County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bailey County is at the 14th 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.
Is Bailey County a safe place to live?
Bailey County's composite risk score of 42th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.