Edwards County Disaster Risk
Edwards County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
6th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#228
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
18th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Edwards County, Texas
Edwards County: Texas's Safest
Edwards County scores just 5.73 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and among the safest counties in America. This exceptionally low exposure reflects Edwards's isolation from major seismic zones, flood plains, tornado corridors, and coastal hazards. Residents enjoy natural disaster risk levels that are roughly 90% below the national average.
Texas's Lowest-Risk County
At 5.73, Edwards County ranks as the safest county in Texas, sitting 88% below the state average of 49.00. No other Texas county comes close to matching Edwards's exceptionally low composite risk score across all natural disaster categories. This makes Edwards a statistical outlier in terms of overall hazard exposure.
Dramatically Safer Than Regional Peers
Edwards County's 5.73 is a fraction of every nearby county's score: Duval (54.42), Ector (82.82), and Erath (75.00) all carry exponentially higher risk. Even the relatively safe Donley County (26.62) scores nearly five times higher than Edwards. This dramatic difference reflects Edwards's protected location in remote South-Central Texas.
Wildfire and Hurricane Concerns
While Edwards County's overall risk is extraordinarily low, wildfire risk at 74.49 and hurricane risk at 45.22 represent the county's only elevated individual hazard scores. Flood risk (17.84) and tornado risk (13.68) remain manageable, while earthquake exposure (5.03) is negligible. Even these "higher" scores reflect relative values within an exceptionally safe county.
Minimal But Smart Precautions
Edwards County residents face such low overall risk that standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most scenarios. However, adding wildfire coverage is prudent given that hazard's 74.49 score, particularly during dry season months. Annual policy review remains a best practice even in Texas's safest county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Edwards County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Edwards County
Risk Verdict
Edwards County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 6th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 6th percentile, Edwards County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Edwards County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (18th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Edwards County's primary hazard at the 74th percentile nationally. For Edwards County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 45th percentile nationally means Edwards County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Edwards County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Texas county average, Edwards County's composite score runs 43.3 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Edwards County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Edwards County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Edwards County?
How does Edwards County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Edwards County at risk for wildfire?
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Is Edwards County a safe place to live?
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.