Hockley County Disaster Risk
Hockley County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
51th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#134
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
25th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hockley County, Texas
Hockley is close to national average risk
Hockley County's composite risk score of 51.43 ranks it as "Relatively Low" and only slightly above the national average. The West Texas county benefits from relative safety compared to many peers despite concentrated wildfire and tornado exposure.
Near-average risk for Texas
With a score of 51.43 versus the state average of 49.00, Hockley County is almost exactly at Texas's mean risk level. The county's West Texas location creates specific hazards while avoiding the extreme exposure of coastal or eastern regions.
Safest of the West Texas cluster
Hockley County's 51.43 score is notably lower than the surrounding panhandle region, positioning it as the safest county in its area. The county's more moderate overall risk reflects its distance from both coastal hurricane zones and east Texas flood zones.
Wildfire and tornado are primary hazards
Wildfire risk stands at 76.18 and tornado risk at 74.55, making severe weather and drought-fire the county's main vulnerabilities. All other hazards—flood (24.78), earthquake (29.23), and hurricane (25.99)—are well below statewide averages.
Focus on severe weather and wildfire coverage
Hockley residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers wind damage from tornadoes and straight-line winds, and verify wildfire coverage is included or available. Maintain defensible space around structures and stay weather-aware during spring severe season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hockley County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hockley County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Hockley County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 51th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Hockley County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Hockley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (29th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), flood (25th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 76th percentile nationally, Hockley County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Hockley County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 75th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Hockley County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Hockley County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Hockley County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Texas county average, with a 2.4-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Hockley County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hockley County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Hockley County?
How does Hockley County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Hockley County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Hockley 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.