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

Cochran County Disaster Risk

Cochran County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#207

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cochran County, Texas

Cochran among nation's safest counties

Cochran County's composite risk score of 12.79 ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county's isolated southwest Texas location provides exceptional protection from all major natural disasters.

Lowest-risk county in Texas

At 12.79, Cochran County's composite risk score runs 74% below Texas's average of 49.00, making it the safest county in this dataset. The county benefits from protected High Plains geography with minimal exposure to hurricanes, earthquakes, and major flooding.

Safest in southwest Texas comparison

Cochran County significantly outperforms all neighboring counties, scoring lower than Clay County (14.28) and well below Childress County (19.56). Its isolated position offers superior protection compared to all peer regions in the analysis.

Wildfire presents minimal challenge

Wildfire risk (68.32) represents Cochran's highest exposure, though it remains moderate on the state scale, with tornado risk (21.69) and all other hazards minimal. Flood risk is near zero (1.78), and hurricane exposure is nonexistent.

Basic insurance meets most needs

Cochran County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for comprehensive protection, with optional wildfire riders available for enhanced coverage. The county's exceptional safety profile means property owners face minimal disaster-related insurance burden.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cochran County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    22th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    20th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cochran County

Risk Verdict

Cochran County's overall natural disaster score at the 13th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Cochran County's 13th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Cochran County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (20th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 68th percentile nationally, Cochran County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Cochran County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 22th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Cochran County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Cochran County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Cochran County's composite risk score sits 36.2 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Cochran 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 Cochran County, TX?
Cochran County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Cochran County?
Cochran County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (68th percentile), tornado (22th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 68th 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 Cochran County risk compare to the Texas average?
Cochran County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cochran County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Cochran County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Cochran County's wildfire risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cochran County is at the 2th 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 Cochran County a safe place to live?
Cochran County's composite risk score of 13th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hamilton County

Texas

+0.1

Very Low

13th percentile

Cottle County

Texas

-0.3

Very Low

12th percentile

Dickens County

Texas

+0.8

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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