Cherokee County Disaster Risk
Cherokee County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
62th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#100
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
59th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cherokee County, Texas
Cherokee faces elevated disaster exposure
Cherokee County's composite risk score of 61.64 substantially exceeds the national average, reflecting a Relatively Low but notably elevated risk profile. The county experiences significant exposure across multiple hazard categories, including tornadoes, flooding, and tropical weather.
Above-average risk statewide
At 61.64, Cherokee County's composite risk score ranks well above Texas's average of 49.00, placing it in the higher-exposure tier. The county faces greater natural disaster vulnerability than most Texas regions.
Highest-risk in its comparison group
Cherokee County's 61.64 score exceeds neighboring Cass County (50.80) and Chambers County (51.84), making it the most exposed to natural disasters in this east Texas cluster. Its position in forested Piney Woods terrain amplifies both wildfire and tornado vulnerabilities.
Multiple hazards require diversified planning
Cherokee County faces a severe combination of tornado risk (69.53), hurricane risk (70.71), and wildfire risk (77.83), plus substantial flood exposure (59.19). This multi-hazard profile demands comprehensive preparedness addressing wind, water, and fire threats.
Layer protection across all major hazards
Residents should maintain full-coverage homeowners insurance with specific wind and flood endorsements, plus separate flood insurance given the 59.19 risk score. Building codes-compliant reinforcements and evacuation planning are essential given the county's high tornado and hurricane exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cherokee County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cherokee County
Risk Verdict
Cherokee County's FEMA risk score places it at the 62th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Cherokee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (70th percentile), flood (59th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Cherokee County sits at the 78th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Cherokee 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. The county's hurricane exposure at the 71th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Cherokee 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
The Texas county average is 12.6 composite points below Cherokee County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Cherokee County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cherokee County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Cherokee County?
How does Cherokee County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Cherokee County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Cherokee County higher risk than average?
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.