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

Clay County Disaster Risk

Clay County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#203

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, Texas

Clay County ranks nationally safest

Clay County's composite risk score of 14.28 is among the lowest in the nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county's inland north Texas location provides exceptional protection from hurricanes and major flood events affecting other regions.

Safest county in Texas dataset

At 14.28, Clay County's composite risk score runs 71% below Texas's average of 49.00, making it one of the state's most resilient counties. The county ranks at the very bottom of natural disaster exposure statewide.

Clear safety advantage in region

Clay County significantly outperforms all comparison counties, scoring nearly half that of Childress County (19.56) and a quarter of Carson County (25.22). Its north-central Texas position offers superior protection compared to all peer regions.

Wildfire only significant exposure

Wildfire risk (87.88) is Clay County's lone meaningful hazard, though tornado risk (52.26) remains manageable at 52.26. Flood exposure is minimal (14.15), and hurricane and earthquake risks are negligible.

Wildfire coverage is the main priority

Homeowners should secure standard insurance with optional wildfire coverage, particularly if properties abut grasslands or forested areas. The county's exceptional overall safety profile means most residents need only basic hazard protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clay County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    28th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clay County

Risk Verdict

Clay County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 14th percentile nationally. At the 14th percentile, Clay County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (28th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), flood (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Clay County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary tornado exposure at the 52th percentile nationally means Clay County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Clay County residents.

Regional Context

Clay County falls 34.7 points below Texas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Clay 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 Clay County, TX?
Clay County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Clay County?
Clay County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), flooding (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 88th 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 Clay County risk compare to the Texas average?
Clay County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clay County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Clay County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Clay County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Clay County is at the 14th 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 Clay County a safe place to live?
Clay County's composite risk score of 14th 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 88th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Rains County

Texas

-0.2

Very Low

14th percentile

Callahan County

Texas

+0.4

Very Low

15th percentile

Dickens County

Texas

-0.7

Very Low

14th 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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