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

Briscoe County Disaster Risk

Briscoe County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#220

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Briscoe County, Texas

Briscoe ranks among America's safest counties

Briscoe County's composite risk score of 8.75 earns a Very Low rating and sits 82% below the national average. This Texas Panhandle county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.

One of Texas's lowest-risk counties

Briscoe's 8.75 score ranks among the absolute lowest in Texas, sitting just 18% of the state average of 49.00. Few counties in the state enjoy comparable protection from natural hazards.

Safest county in its High Plains region

Briscoe (8.75) significantly underperforms riskier neighbors like Borden (5.69) and Bosque (36.90) in regional comparisons. Its Panhandle location and flat terrain combine to create one of Texas's most secure disaster profiles.

Wildfire presents limited but real threat

Wildfire risk of 57.98 is Briscoe's only meaningful exposure, while tornado risk (15.33) remains below state norms. Flood, earthquake, and hurricane threats are negligible in this remote grassland county.

Standard insurance with wildfire rider suffices

Briscoe County's very low risk means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most properties. Adding wildfire coverage is a prudent and affordable step given the county's only notable hazard exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Briscoe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    15th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Briscoe County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Briscoe County ranks at the 9th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A 9th percentile score positions Briscoe County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Briscoe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 15th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (9th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flood (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Briscoe County sits at the 58th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Briscoe 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 15th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Briscoe 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 40.3 points below the Texas state average, Briscoe County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Briscoe 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 Briscoe County, TX?
Briscoe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Briscoe County?
Briscoe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (58th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flooding (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 58th 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 Briscoe County risk compare to the Texas average?
Briscoe County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Briscoe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Briscoe County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Briscoe County's wildfire risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Briscoe County is at the 0th 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 Briscoe County a safe place to live?
Briscoe County's composite risk score of 9th 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 58th 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.