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

Bandera County Disaster Risk

Bandera County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#88

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bandera County, Texas

Bandera County Exceeds National Risk Average

Bandera County scores 66.70 on the composite risk index, ranking as Relatively Low but still above the national average. This Hill Country location faces above-average natural hazard exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Above-Average Risk for Texas

Bandera County's score of 66.70 exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. Its Hill Country position creates exposure to multiple hazard types uncommon in West Texas.

Similar Risk to Blanco, Higher Than Burnet

Bandera County's 66.70 score places it between lower-risk Blanco County (33.02) and higher-risk Bastrop County (81.17). Its exposure to flooding and wildfire mirrors other Edwards Plateau counties.

Floods and Wildfires Lead Threats

Flood risk (79.26) and wildfire risk (86.67) dominate Bandera County's hazard profile, reflecting Hill Country creek systems and dry vegetation. Tornado risk (65.01) adds a significant secondary threat across the region.

Add Flood Coverage to Your Policy

Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage—critical in Bandera County where flood risk scores 79.26. Secure both a separate flood policy and wildfire coverage to fully protect against your county's top two hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bandera County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bandera County

Risk Verdict

Bandera County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 67th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Bandera County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Bandera County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (65th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for wildfire, Bandera County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's flood exposure at the 79th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Bandera County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

A composite score 17.7 points above the Texas state average puts Bandera County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Bandera 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 Bandera County, TX?
Bandera County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Bandera County?
Bandera County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (87th percentile), flooding (79th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 87th 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 Bandera County risk compare to the Texas average?
Bandera County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bandera County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Bandera County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bandera County's wildfire risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bandera County is at the 79th 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.
Why is Bandera County higher risk than average?
Bandera County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (87th percentile), along with flooding and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.