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

Burnet County Disaster Risk

Burnet County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

77th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

82th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Burnet County, Texas

Burnet County exceeds typical U.S. risk

Burnet County's composite risk score of 76.62 substantially exceeds the national average, though it still rates as Relatively Low. The county faces particularly elevated wildfire and tornado exposure.

Well above Texas average across hazards

At 76.62, Burnet County scores 56 percent higher than Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Wildfire (88.87), tornado (84.76), and flood (82.28) risks all rank above state norms.

Highest risk in its immediate region

Burnet County's 76.62 composite score exceeds nearby Caldwell County's 79.77 narrowly but surpasses most other Central Texas peers significantly. Its wildfire risk of 88.87 is among the state's most severe.

Wildfires, tornadoes, and flooding converge

Wildfires represent Burnet's dominant threat at 88.87, fueled by cedar-oak woodlands during dry seasons. Tornadoes (84.76) and floods (82.28) round out a trio of significant seasonal hazards.

Multi-hazard insurance is essential

Burnet County homeowners should secure comprehensive coverage including wildfire, tornado, and flood protection—standard policies exclude all three. Defensible space management and a reinforced roof are critical investments given the 88.87 wildfire risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Burnet County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    82th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Burnet County

Risk Verdict

At the 77th percentile nationally, Burnet County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Burnet County.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Burnet County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (82th percentile), hurricane (60th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Burnet County's primary hazard at the 89th percentile nationally. For Burnet County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally means Burnet County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Burnet County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Burnet County falls 27.6 points above Texas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Burnet 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 Burnet County, TX?
Burnet County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 77th 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 Burnet County?
Burnet County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (85th percentile), flooding (82th percentile), hurricane (60th percentile), earthquake (15th 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 Burnet County risk compare to the Texas average?
Burnet County's composite risk percentile is 77th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Burnet County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Burnet County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Burnet County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Burnet County is at the 82th 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 Burnet County higher risk than average?
Burnet County's composite risk score of 77th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (89th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Kaufman County

Texas

-0.4

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Kerr County

Texas

+0.5

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Val Verde County

Texas

-0.5

Relatively Low

76th percentile

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.

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