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

Castro County Disaster Risk

Castro County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#161

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Castro County, Texas

Castro's risk well below national norms

Castro County's composite risk score of 34.41 sits substantially below the national average, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county benefits from geographic positioning that shields it from major hurricane exposure and extreme flood scenarios.

Significantly safer than Texas average

At 34.41, Castro County's risk score remains roughly 30% lower than Texas's average of 49.00, placing it among the state's more resilient counties. The county ranks favorably for natural disaster exposure statewide.

Mid-range in Panhandle risk profile

Castro County sits between the safer Clay County (14.28) and the riskier Carson County (25.22), offering moderate security compared to its Panhandle neighbors. Its wildfire risk (73.79) and tornado risk (53.94) profile mirrors regional patterns typical of the High Plains.

Wildfire and tornado vulnerabilities dominate

Wildfire risk (73.79) and tornado risk (53.94) represent Castro County's primary natural hazards, while flood risk remains minimal at 11.23. Hurricane exposure is zero, and earthquake risk is low at 23.60.

Prepare for wind and grassland fire

Homeowners should prioritize homeowners insurance with enhanced wind coverage to address tornado and wildfire smoke exposure. Creating defensible space around properties—clearing dead vegetation and maintaining distances from structures—provides critical wildfire protection in this agricultural community.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Castro County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    24th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Castro County

Risk Verdict

Castro County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 34th percentile nationally. At the 34th percentile nationally, Castro County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Castro County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (24th percentile), flood (11th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Castro County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 74th percentile nationally. Castro County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 54th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Castro County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Texas county average exceeds Castro County's score by 14.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Castro 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 Castro County, TX?
Castro County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Castro County?
Castro County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (74th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), flooding (11th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Castro County risk compare to the Texas average?
Castro County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Castro County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Castro County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Castro County's wildfire risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Castro County is at the 11th 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 Castro County a safe place to live?
Castro County's composite risk score of 34th 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 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Morris County

Texas

+0.1

Very Low

35th percentile

Hall County

Texas

+0.2

Very Low

35th percentile

Ochiltree County

Texas

+0.4

Very Low

35th 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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