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

Hardeman County Disaster Risk

Hardeman County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#221

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% 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 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hardeman County, Texas

Hardeman County ranks among safest areas

Hardeman County's composite risk score of 8.65 places it in the safest tier nationally, with a Very Low disaster rating across all major hazard categories. This West Texas county experiences minimal exposure to floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and severe storms.

Texas's lowest overall disaster risk

Hardeman County ranks among Texas's safest jurisdictions with a composite score of 8.65—82% below the state average of 49.00. Few Texas counties offer comparable protection across the full spectrum of natural disaster hazards.

Safest county in the region

Hardeman County's risk profile significantly outperforms surrounding West Texas and Panhandle counties, offering exceptional natural disaster resilience. Its geographic isolation and high plains terrain minimize exposure to multiple hazard types.

Wildfire and tornado are minor concerns

Hardeman County's primary hazards are wildfire at 62.02 and tornado risk at 35.11, both well below state and national averages. Earthquake and hurricane risks remain minimal, making the county exceptionally stable for long-term planning.

Basic coverage sufficient for this region

While Hardeman County's disaster risk is minimal, standard homeowner's insurance with wildfire and wind provisions offers adequate protection. Use your lower-risk status to maintain competitive insurance rates and focus on routine property maintenance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hardeman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    23th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hardeman County

Risk Verdict

At the 9th percentile nationally, Hardeman County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 9th percentile, Hardeman 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 Hardeman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hardeman County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Hardeman County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary tornado exposure at the 35th percentile nationally means Hardeman County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Hardeman County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 40.3 points below the Texas state average puts Hardeman County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Hardeman 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 Hardeman County, TX?
Hardeman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Hardeman County?
Hardeman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (62th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile), flooding (4th 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 Hardeman County risk compare to the Texas average?
Hardeman County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hardeman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Hardeman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hardeman County's wildfire risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hardeman County is at the 4th 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 Hardeman County a safe place to live?
Hardeman County's composite risk score of 9th 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.