Howard County Disaster Risk
Howard County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#127
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
45th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% 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 34% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Howard County, Texas
Howard County's balanced risk picture
Howard County scores 54.80 on the composite risk scale, moderately above the national average and reflecting a relatively low overall rating despite serious wildfire exposure. The score places the county in a middle-risk band nationally, with hazards concentrated in specific threat types rather than spread across all categories.
Slightly elevated above Texas average
At 54.80, Howard County runs slightly above Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, positioning it in the moderate-risk tier among Texas counties. The elevation is driven almost entirely by an exceptional wildfire risk score of 89.47, one of the highest in the state.
Wildfire hotspot among peers
Howard County's wildfire risk of 89.47 substantially exceeds neighboring Mitchell, Martin, and Glasscock counties, making it a wildfire hotspot in the Permian Basin region. While tornado risk at 66.09 matches regional norms, the wildfire threat profile sets Howard apart as notably higher-risk.
Wildfire risk dominates the landscape
Wildfire represents the county's paramount hazard with a risk score of 89.47, reflecting the dry climate and vegetation patterns of West Texas ranching country. Tornado risk at 66.09 and flood risk at 45.42 present secondary concerns, while hurricane risk remains minimal at 33.92.
Prioritize wildfire-specific protections now
Howard County homeowners should verify their policies explicitly cover wildfire damage, as standard coverage often excludes or limits fire-related losses. Defensible space maintenance around homes—clearing brush, trimming trees, and reducing fuel load—provides critical protection alongside comprehensive insurance.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Howard County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Howard County
Risk Verdict
Howard County's FEMA risk score places it at the 55th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Howard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (45th percentile), hurricane (34th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Howard County sits at the 89th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Howard County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 66th percentile nationally means Howard County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Howard County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Texas county average is 5.8 composite points below Howard County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Howard County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Howard County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Howard County?
How does Howard County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Howard County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Howard 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.