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

Callahan County Disaster Risk

Callahan County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#202

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Callahan County, Texas

Callahan County faces minimal U.S. risk

Callahan County's composite risk score of 14.69 ranks among the lowest in the nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county benefits from inland positioning away from hurricane and major flood exposure.

Texas's safest county by most measures

At 14.69, Callahan County scores 70 percent below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's safest counties for natural disasters. Only a handful of Texas counties score lower.

Substantially safer than surrounding areas

Callahan County's 14.69 score sits far below neighboring Brown County's 64.89 and regional peers, reflecting its isolated position on the High Plains. This isolation from major water systems and coastlines defines its exceptional safety profile.

Wildfire is primary concern here

Wildfire risk reaches 82.00 in Callahan County, the only significant hazard threat despite very low overall risk. All other perils—flood (13.87), tornado (52.70), and hurricane (28.95)—remain minimal.

Basic coverage protects adequately

Callahan County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most perils, though wildfire riders or separate coverage should be considered given the 82.00 wildfire risk. Creating defensible space around structures provides cost-effective additional protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Callahan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Callahan County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Callahan County ranks at the 15th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Callahan County's 15th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Callahan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (29th percentile), flood (14th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Callahan County sits at the 82th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Callahan 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 53th percentile nationally means Callahan County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Callahan 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 34.3 points below the Texas state average, Callahan County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Callahan 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 Callahan County, TX?
Callahan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Callahan County?
Callahan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (82th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flooding (14th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 82th 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 Callahan County risk compare to the Texas average?
Callahan County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Callahan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Callahan County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Callahan County's wildfire risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Callahan County is at the 14th 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 Callahan County a safe place to live?
Callahan County's composite risk score of 15th 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 82th 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.