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

Childress County Disaster Risk

Childress County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#195

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Childress County, Texas

Childress ranks among safest counties

Childress County's composite risk score of 19.56 sits well below the national average, earning a Very Low risk rating across natural hazards. The county benefits from inland positioning that shields it from hurricanes while experiencing minimal earthquake and flood exposure.

Among Texas's lowest-risk counties

At 19.56, Childress County's composite risk score runs 60% lower than Texas's average of 49.00, placing it among the state's safest regions. The county ranks exceptionally well for natural disaster resilience statewide.

Safer than most Panhandle peers

Childress County outperforms neighboring Carson County (25.22), Castro County (34.41), and significantly surpasses Cass County (50.80). Its low-risk profile reflects the protective geography of the northwest Texas High Plains.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Wildfire risk (64.73) represents Childress County's most significant hazard, though it remains moderate compared to state exposure levels. Tornado risk (30.85) and minimal flood risk (3.94) complete a relatively manageable hazard landscape with zero hurricane exposure.

Standard coverage protects most residents

Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most Childress County properties, with supplemental wildfire coverage recommended for properties near grasslands. Maintaining defensible space around structures offers cost-effective wildfire risk reduction.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Childress County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    23th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Childress County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Childress County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 20th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Childress County's favorable 20th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Childress County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 65th percentile nationally for wildfire, Childress County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 31th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Childress County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Childress County is 29.4 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Childress 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 Childress County, TX?
Childress County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Childress County?
Childress County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (65th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), flooding (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 65th 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 Childress County risk compare to the Texas average?
Childress County's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Childress County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Childress County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Childress County's wildfire risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Childress 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 Childress County a safe place to live?
Childress County's composite risk score of 20th 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 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Mitchell County

Texas

+0.2

Very Low

20th percentile

Martin County

Texas

+0.4

Very Low

20th percentile

Reeves County

Texas

-0.4

Very Low

19th 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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