Gaines County Disaster Risk
Gaines County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
58th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#119
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
30th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Gaines County, Texas
Gaines County's Wildfire Risk Stands Out
Gaines's composite risk score of 57.63 ranks as relatively low overall, but its wildfire hazard score of 93.38 is exceptional and far exceeds the national average. This West Texas county faces concentrated wildfire exposure that dominates its disaster risk profile.
Above Average, Driven by Wildfire
With a composite score of 57.63 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Gaines runs higher in statewide rankings. The elevation is almost entirely due to wildfire risk, which at 93.38 ranks among the highest in the state.
Wildfire Risk Exceeds Area Peers
Gaines's wildfire score of 93.38 significantly outpaces neighboring Dawson and Martin counties in the Permian Basin region. The open prairie landscape and sparse vegetation create conditions for rapid fire spread across large areas.
Wildfire Is the Primary Threat
Gaines faces extreme wildfire risk (93.38) that dwarfs all other hazards in the county, while flood (30.38), tornado (43.48), and hurricane risks remain modest. Grassland fires can spread miles in hours, threatening ranches, structures, and livestock across the semiarid landscape.
Prepare for Rapid Wildfire Spread
Gaines homeowners should maintain defensible space with cleared vegetation, have an evacuation plan, and ensure structures meet fire-resistant building codes. Homeowner insurance should explicitly cover wildfire damage; standard policies may exclude or limit coverage for brush fires.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Gaines County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Gaines County
Risk Verdict
At the 58th percentile nationally, Gaines County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Gaines County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Gaines County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (39th percentile), flood (30th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Gaines County's primary hazard at the 93th percentile nationally. For Gaines 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 43th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Gaines 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
Gaines County falls 8.6 points above Texas's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Gaines County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Gaines County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Gaines County?
How does Gaines County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Gaines County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Gaines County higher risk than average?
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.