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

Cass County Disaster Risk

Cass County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#137

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cass County, Texas

Cass faces above-average disaster risk

Cass County's composite risk score of 50.80 exceeds the national average and places it in the Relatively Low category nationally. The county experiences meaningful exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and hurricanes, making comprehensive preparedness essential.

Slightly above Texas average risk

At 50.80, Cass County's composite risk score edges above Texas's average of 49.00, placing it in the middle tier of statewide risk. The county ranks higher than many rural West Texas regions but lower than coastal and eastern counties.

Most exposed among east-central peers

Cass County carries notably higher risk than Cherokee County (61.64) in some hazards but shows elevated tornado (73.98) and hurricane (56.28) exposure compared to regional averages. Its position in the Piney Woods region creates distinct multi-hazard vulnerabilities.

Tornadoes and hurricanes lead threats

Cass County faces severe tornado risk (73.98) and hurricane risk (56.28), the two most significant hazards threatening the county. Wildfire risk (70.83) and flood risk (39.92) round out a diverse hazard landscape requiring multi-pronged resilience planning.

Invest in comprehensive coverage now

Residents should secure homeowners insurance with rider coverage for tornado and wind damage, plus separate flood insurance given the county's 39.92 flood exposure. Storm shelters or safe rooms provide critical protection during severe weather events common to the region.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cass County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Cass County

Risk Verdict

At the 51th percentile nationally, Cass County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Cass County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Cass County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (56th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), flood (40th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Cass County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 74th percentile nationally. In Cass County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 71th percentile nationally means Cass County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Cass County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Cass County households.

Regional Context

At 1.8 points from the Texas county mean, Cass County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Cass 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 Cass County, TX?
Cass County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th 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 Cass County?
Cass County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (74th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), flooding (40th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 74th 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 Cass County risk compare to the Texas average?
Cass County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cass County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Cass County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cass County's tornado risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cass County is at the 40th 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 Cass County higher risk than average?
Cass County's composite risk score of 51th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (74th percentile), along with wildfire and hurricane and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.