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

Glasscock County Disaster Risk

Glasscock County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#233

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Glasscock County, Texas

Glasscock County's Risk Is Minimal

Glasscock's composite risk score of 4.26 ranks as very low—among the safest counties in the entire United States. Across almost every hazard category, the county sits well below national averages.

One of Texas's Lowest-Risk Counties

At 4.26, Glasscock's score is less than one-tenth of Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it at the very bottom of statewide risk rankings. This remote West Texas county enjoys exceptional protection from natural disasters.

Substantially Safer Than Peer Counties

Glasscock's composite score of 4.26 is dramatically lower than neighboring Sterling (18) and Coke (22) counties. The county's sparse population and isolated location minimize cumulative risk exposure.

Minimal Hazard Exposure Across Board

Glasscock's highest risk scores remain modest: wildfire (61.99), all others well below 20. Even wildfire exposure in this sparsely vegetated Permian Basin landscape creates minimal practical threat to developed areas.

Standard Coverage Offers Full Protection

Glasscock homeowners can confidently rely on basic homeowner insurance without specialized flood or windstorm riders. The county's exceptional safety profile makes it one of the lowest-cost insurance markets in Texas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Glasscock County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    18th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    12th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Glasscock County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Glasscock County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 4th percentile. Even at the 4th percentile, Glasscock County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Glasscock County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 18th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (12th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 62th percentile nationally for wildfire, Glasscock County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 18th percentile nationally means Glasscock County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Glasscock County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Glasscock County is 44.7 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Glasscock 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 Glasscock County, TX?
Glasscock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Glasscock County?
Glasscock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (62th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), tornado (12th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 62th 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 Glasscock County risk compare to the Texas average?
Glasscock County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Glasscock County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Glasscock County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Glasscock County's wildfire risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Glasscock County is at the 2th 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 Glasscock County a safe place to live?
Glasscock County's composite risk score of 4th 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 62th 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.