Bowie County Disaster Risk
Bowie County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
79th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#56
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bowie County, Texas
Bowie exceeds national risk baseline significantly
Bowie County's composite risk score of 79.01 ranks as Relatively Low but substantially exceeds the national average. This Northeast Texas county faces considerably higher natural disaster exposure than the typical American community.
Among Texas's riskier counties
Bowie's 79.01 score sits 61% above the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the upper tier of state risk. Few Texas counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.
Riskier than most regional peers
Bowie (79.01) significantly outranks safer neighbors like Bosque (36.90) and Brooks (60.81) in overall disaster exposure. Its position near Texas's border with Arkansas and Louisiana exposes it to multiple hazard types.
Tornadoes and earthquakes top the list
Tornado risk of 93.73 makes Bowie one of Texas's highest-threat counties for severe storms, while earthquake risk of 75.06 reflects its location near the Texarkana seismic zone. Flooding (68.86) and wildfire (74.24) round out a substantial multi-hazard portfolio.
Comprehensive coverage is essential
Bowie County residents should secure robust homeowners insurance including windstorm and hail coverage, plus separate earthquake and flood policies given the elevated risks. A reinforced safe room and emergency supplies are critical safety measures for this high-exposure county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bowie County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bowie County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Bowie County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 79th percentile. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Bowie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (74th percentile), flood (69th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With tornado ranked at the 94th percentile nationally, Bowie County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 75th percentile nationally means Bowie County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Bowie County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.
Regional Context
Bowie County is 30.0 composite risk points above the Texas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Bowie County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bowie County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Bowie County?
How does Bowie County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Bowie County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Bowie County higher risk than average?
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.