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

Falls County Disaster Risk

Falls County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#180

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Falls County, Texas

Falls County faces very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 26.24, Falls County ranks well below the national average and sits in the very low risk category. This means residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans, though localized hazards still warrant attention.

Among Texas's safest counties

Falls County's composite score of 26.24 places it well below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's lower-risk areas. This favorable standing reflects the county's relative protection from the extreme weather events that challenge other Texas communities.

Safer than most central Texas peers

Falls County's risk score of 26.24 compares favorably to neighboring Fayette County (57.98) and Franklin County (24.81), though it faces similar tornado and hurricane exposure. The county enjoys notably lower flood and earthquake risks than its immediate neighbors.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate here

Tornado risk (69.88) and hurricane risk (68.04) are Falls County's primary hazards, though both remain below state average intensities. Wildfire risk scores 54.48, moderate for the region, while flood and earthquake threats stay minimal at 24.08 and 21.63 respectively.

Secure your home against severe weather

Falls County residents should prioritize wind and tornado coverage in their homeowners policies, given the county's elevated tornado and hurricane scores. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage, but reviewing your policy limits and considering additional protection for high-wind events remains prudent.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Falls County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Falls County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Falls County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 26th percentile. A 26th percentile score positions Falls County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Falls County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (54th percentile), flood (24th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 70th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Falls County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Falls County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 68th percentile nationally means Falls County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Falls County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Falls County is 22.8 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Falls 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 Falls County, TX?
Falls County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Falls County?
Falls County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (70th percentile), hurricane (68th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), flooding (24th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 70th 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 Falls County risk compare to the Texas average?
Falls County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Falls County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Falls County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Falls County's tornado risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Falls County is at the 24th 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 Falls County a safe place to live?
Falls County's composite risk score of 26th 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 tornado at the 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Runnels County

Texas

+0.3

Very Low

26th percentile

Donley County

Texas

+0.4

Very Low

27th percentile

Newton County

Texas

+0.9

Very Low

27th percentile

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.

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