Hill County Disaster Risk
Hill County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
73th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#73
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
46th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hill County, Texas
Hill County's risk moderately exceeds national norm
Hill County's composite risk score of 72.96 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but still above the national average. The central Texas county faces concentrated exposure to severe weather hazards that define its overall profile.
Above-average risk for Texas
With a score of 72.96 compared to Texas's state average of 49.00, Hill County ranks as higher-risk than typical for the state. The county's location in central Texas makes it vulnerable to tornado and wildfire activity.
Mid-range risk in central Texas region
Hill County's 72.96 score places it between Hood County (70.52) and Hays County (90.55) in the central Texas cluster. The county faces higher overall risk than most state peers but less severe exposure than Hays County to the east.
Tornadoes and wildfires are top concerns
Tornado risk of 89.79 and wildfire risk of 82.19 are Hill County's principal hazards, creating a spring severe weather and drought-fire vulnerability. Flood risk of 45.90 is notably lower than adjacent counties, but still meaningful.
Prioritize wind and wildfire protection
Hill County residents should ensure homeowners policies provide comprehensive wind/hail coverage and consider wildfire protection measures like defensible landscaping. Verify your insurance covers tornado and straight-line wind damage, which are your area's most frequent threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hill County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hill County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 73th, Hill County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Hill County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (66th percentile), flood (46th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 90th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Hill County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 82th percentile nationally means Hill County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Hill County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.
Regional Context
At 24.0 points above the Texas state average, Hill County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Texas county.
Is your household prepared for Hill County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hill County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Hill County?
How does Hill County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Hill County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Hill 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.