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

Eastland County Disaster Risk

Eastland County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#146

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% 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 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Eastland County, Texas

Eastland County: Below-Average Risk

Eastland County scores 41.16 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and below the typical U.S. county average. Despite moderately elevated exposure to wildfire and tornado hazards, the county remains safer than most American communities when all hazard types are weighted together. This favorable standing reflects the county's distance from major seismic, hurricane, and flood-prone zones.

Below Texas Average, Moderate Hazards

Eastland County's 41.16 score falls 16% below Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the safer half of Texas counties. Despite this favorable overall ranking, the county experiences notably elevated wildfire (88.07) and tornado (65.27) risks that demand local preparedness attention. The county's composite score masks these significant regional hazards behind lower earthquake and flood exposure.

Safer Than Nearby Erath County

Eastland County's 41.16 is meaningfully lower than neighboring Erath County's 75.00, making it substantially less risky for residents in this North Central Texas region. It ranks higher than the extremely safe Edwards County (5.73) and well below the heavily exposed Ector County (82.82). This variation reflects Erath's elevation of wildfire and tornado risk to dangerous levels.

Wildfire and Tornado Dominance

Wildfire risk tops Eastland County at 88.07, making it one of the county's most critical hazards despite overall low composite scores. Tornado risk follows closely at 65.27, reflecting the county's exposure to severe spring and early summer storms. Flood risk at 43.16 adds a tertiary concern during heavy rainfall events.

Wildfire and Tornado Coverage Priority

Eastland County residents should prioritize wildfire insurance as a first line of defense, as standard homeowners policies typically exclude or severely limit brush fire coverage. Tornado and hail riders are equally essential given the county's 65% tornado risk score. Work with your insurance agent to ensure your policy covers both wind damage and wildfires specific to Texas grassland and brush environments.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Eastland County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    47th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Eastland County

Risk Verdict

Eastland County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally. Even at the 41th percentile, Eastland County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Eastland County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (47th percentile), flood (43th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Eastland 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 65th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Eastland County residents.

Regional Context

Eastland County falls 7.8 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 Eastland 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 Eastland County, TX?
Eastland County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th 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 Eastland County?
Eastland County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), flooding (43th percentile), earthquake (25th 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 Eastland County risk compare to the Texas average?
Eastland County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Eastland County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Eastland County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Eastland County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Eastland County is at the 43th 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 Eastland County a safe place to live?
Eastland County's composite risk score of 41th 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.
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.