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

Collin County Disaster Risk

Collin County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

99th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

97th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Collin County, Texas

Collin County Faces Relatively High Risk

Collin County's composite score of 98.86 ranks Relatively High—nearly double the national average and among the most dangerous counties in the comparison group. The county confronts serious exposure across nearly every hazard type.

Second-Highest Risk in Texas

Collin County's score of 98.86 towers over the Texas state average of 49.00, making it one of Texas's riskiest counties overall. This elevated profile reflects the county's dense population and Dallas-area location in a high-impact zone.

Dramatically Riskier Than Nearby Counties

Collin County (98.86) faces triple the risk of Comal County (92.68) and far exceeds every other nearby county in this group. This makes Collin a clear outlier for disaster vulnerability in North Texas.

Tornado and Flooding Lead Multiple Threats

Tornado risk (99.94) and flood risk (96.79) are Collin County's dominant hazards, with scores near or exceeding 97 points. Earthquake (82.03) and wildfire (81.01) risks also exceed state averages, creating compound exposure for residents.

Comprehensive Coverage Essential in Collin

Collin County residents must prioritize flood insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, and the county's 96.79 flood score demands separate coverage. Layer in tornado/wind protection, and consider earthquake coverage given the 82.03 score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Collin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    100th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    97th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Collin County

Risk Verdict

Collin County ranks in the top tier for natural disaster risk nationally, with a composite score at the 99th percentile. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Collin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (82th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), hurricane (60th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Collin County ranks at the 100th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Collin County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 97th percentile nationally means Collin County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Collin County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Texas counties, Collin County runs 49.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Collin 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 Collin County, TX?
Collin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 99th 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 Collin County?
Collin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (100th percentile), flooding (97th percentile), earthquake (82th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), hurricane (60th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 100th 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 Collin County risk compare to the Texas average?
Collin County's composite risk percentile is 99th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Collin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Collin County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Collin County's tornado risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Collin County is at the 97th 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.
Why is Collin County higher risk than average?
Collin County's composite risk score of 99th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and wildfire and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.