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

Cottle County Disaster Risk

Cottle County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

12th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#208

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 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cottle County, Texas

Cottle County remains well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 12.47, Cottle County ranks in the "Very Low" category and significantly below the national average. This low exposure provides residents with fewer natural disaster concerns than most U.S. counties.

Among Texas's safest counties overall

Cottle County's score of 12.47 is 75% lower than Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it among the state's least hazard-prone areas. This favorable standing reflects minimal exposure across most major disaster types.

Substantially safer than neighboring counties

Cottle County (12.47) significantly outperforms Cooke County (73.31) and Coryell County (63.42), making it one of the region's safest areas. Even compared to other low-risk counties like Crosby (23.73), Cottle maintains exceptional safety.

Wildfire is the only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 62.88 is Cottle County's only material hazard; all other risks—tornado (17.59), flood (1.53), earthquake (8.40), and hurricane (17.31)—remain minimal. This narrowly focused risk profile makes preparedness more straightforward.

Basic insurance and wildfire awareness suffice

Standard homeowners insurance covers most likely scenarios in Cottle County, though wildfire-specific coverage should be considered given the 62.88 risk score. Clearing vegetation and maintaining defensible space around structures offers cost-effective protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cottle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    18th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    17th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Cottle County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Cottle County ranks at the 12th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Cottle County residents can take confidence from a 12th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Cottle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 18th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (17th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Cottle County sits at the 63th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Cottle 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 18th percentile nationally means Cottle County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Cottle 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

At 36.5 points below the Texas state average, Cottle County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Cottle 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 Cottle County, TX?
Cottle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 12th 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 Cottle County?
Cottle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (63th percentile), tornado (18th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 63th 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 Cottle County risk compare to the Texas average?
Cottle County's composite risk percentile is 12th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cottle County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Cottle County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Cottle County's wildfire risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cottle 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 Cottle County a safe place to live?
Cottle County's composite risk score of 12th 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.