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

Carson County Disaster Risk

Carson County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#181

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carson County, Texas

Carson ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 25.22, Carson County sits well below the national average and carries a Very Low risk rating. The county faces substantially less overall natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties, making it one of the more resilient areas in the nation.

Well below Texas average risk

Carson's score of 25.22 is nearly half Texas's average composite risk of 49.00, positioning it in the lower-risk tier statewide. Among Texas counties, Carson ranks favorably for natural disaster preparedness and exposure.

Safest in the Texas Panhandle

Carson outperforms neighboring Panhandle counties: it scores lower than Castro County (34.41), Childress County (19.56), and Clay County (14.28). Compared to its regional peers, Carson maintains one of the lower overall risk profiles in the Panhandle.

Wildfire is the dominant threat

Wildfire risk dominates Carson County's hazard profile at 86.86, significantly outpacing tornado risk (40.84) and earthquake risk (24.84). The county faces minimal flood and zero hurricane exposure, but grassland and rangeland fires require focused attention from residents and property owners.

Prioritize wildfire protection today

Homeowners in Carson County should ensure comprehensive property insurance with wildfire coverage as the cornerstone of their protection strategy. Defensible space around structures—clearing brush, trimming trees, and maintaining gutters—offers critical protection against the county's primary natural hazard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Carson County

Risk Verdict

Carson County's overall natural disaster score at the 25th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 25th percentile score positions Carson 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 Carson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (25th percentile), flood (4th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 87th percentile nationally, Carson County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Carson County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 41th percentile nationally means Carson County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Carson County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Carson County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Carson County's composite risk score sits 23.8 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Carson 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 Carson County, TX?
Carson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 Carson County?
Carson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (87th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile), flooding (4th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 87th 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 Carson County risk compare to the Texas average?
Carson County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Carson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Carson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Carson County's wildfire risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Carson County is at the 4th 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 Carson County a safe place to live?
Carson County's composite risk score of 25th 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 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pecos County

Texas

-0.1

Very Low

25th percentile

Franklin County

Texas

-0.4

Very Low

25th percentile

Falls County

Texas

+1.0

Very Low

26th 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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