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

Borden County Disaster Risk

Borden County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#229

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Borden County, Texas

Borden ranks far below national risk

Borden County's composite risk score of 5.69 places it in the Very Low category, well below the national average. This West Texas county faces minimal overall natural disaster threat compared to the typical American county.

One of Texas's safest counties

Borden's 5.69 score ranks it among the lowest-risk counties in Texas, sitting just 11% of the state average composite risk of 49.00. Few Texas counties enjoy this level of natural disaster protection.

Safer than surrounding High Plains peers

Borden's 5.69 score significantly undercuts nearby Briscoe County (8.75) and Brewster County (21.06). Its isolated location on the High Plains shields it from the wildfire and tornado risks that affect neighboring regions.

Wildfire poses the primary threat

Wildfire risk reaches 74.65 in Borden—the county's dominant hazard—though still moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk of 11.26 and other perils remain minimal, making this one of Texas's most protected areas.

Standard homeowners coverage suffices

Borden County's very low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Consider adding wildfire coverage if your property sits near grassland, but catastrophic loss from natural disasters is uncommon here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Borden County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    11th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Borden County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Borden County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 6th percentile. Even at the 6th percentile, Borden County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Borden County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (11th percentile), flood (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 75th percentile nationally for wildfire, Borden 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 11th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Borden County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Borden County is 43.3 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Borden 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 Borden County, TX?
Borden County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Borden County?
Borden County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile), flooding (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 75th 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 Borden County risk compare to the Texas average?
Borden County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Borden County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Borden County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Borden County's wildfire risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Borden County is at the 1th 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 Borden County a safe place to live?
Borden County's composite risk score of 6th 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 75th 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.