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

Dallam County Disaster Risk

Dallam County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#135

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dallam County, Texas

Dallam County faces moderate disaster risk

Dallam County's composite risk score of 51.15 places it in the "Relatively Low" category and slightly above the national average. This modest elevation reflects concentrated wildfire and tornado exposure in the Texas Panhandle.

Above-average risk for Texas overall

Dallam County's score of 51.15 exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00 by 4%, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of Texas hazard exposure. The county experiences notably higher wildfire and tornado risks than the state norm.

Riskier than most surveyed West Texas counties

Dallam County (51.15) carries higher composite risk than Culberson County (11.64), Crane County (1.15), and Crockett County (5.82), but less than Cooke County (73.31). Its Panhandle location drives elevated wildfire and tornado exposure.

Wildfire and tornado dominate hazard profile

Wildfire risk at 74.55 and tornado risk at 35.97 represent Dallam County's primary threats; earthquake (34.29) and flood (14.95) risks remain secondary. Hurricane data is not available for this region.

Comprehensive storm and fire preparation needed

Dallam County residents should prioritize defensible space, vegetation management, and tornado shelter access. Standard homeowners and flood insurance, supplemented by wildfire coverage, provides essential multi-hazard protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dallam County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Dallam County

Risk Verdict

Dallam County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Dallam County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Dallam County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (34th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Dallam County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 75th percentile nationally. Dallam County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 36th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Dallam County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

At just 2.1 composite points from the Texas average, Dallam County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Dallam 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 Dallam County, TX?
Dallam County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th 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 Dallam County?
Dallam County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (36th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 75th 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 Dallam County risk compare to the Texas average?
Dallam County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Dallam County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Dallam County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Dallam County's wildfire risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Dallam County is at the 15th 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 Dallam County higher risk than average?
Dallam County's composite risk score of 51th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (75th percentile). 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.