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

Hudspeth County Disaster Risk

Hudspeth County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#243

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hudspeth County, Texas

Hudspeth County faces minimal natural risks

Hudspeth County scores just 2.29 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category and far below the national average. This exceptionally low risk reflects a relatively benign natural hazard environment with no significant threat concentration across major disaster types.

Among Texas's safest counties

At 2.29, Hudspeth County ranks dramatically below Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, placing it among the state's lowest-risk counties. The county's risk score represents roughly one-twentieth of the state average, indicating substantially lower natural disaster exposure.

Safest county in the region

Hudspeth County's composite risk of 2.29 makes it significantly safer than all immediate neighbors, including Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Reeves counties. This West Texas location benefits from isolation from major storm systems and low seismic activity relative to surrounding areas.

Risks remain minimal across all hazards

No single hazard type presents meaningful risk in Hudspeth County, with wildfire at 25.48 and earthquake at 24.40 ranking as the highest exposures. Tornado, flood, and hurricane risks all remain well below 10, reflecting the remote desert environment.

Standard coverage meets local needs

Despite low overall risk, Hudspeth County homeowners should maintain basic homeowners insurance as protection against unexpected events and lender requirements. The county's risk profile doesn't warrant specialized hazard coverage beyond typical policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hudspeth County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    25th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    24th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hudspeth County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Hudspeth County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 2th percentile. At the 2th percentile nationally, Hudspeth County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Hudspeth County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 25th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 24th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (7th percentile), flood (6th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 25th percentile nationally for wildfire, Hudspeth 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. The county's earthquake exposure at the 24th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Hudspeth County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Hudspeth County is 46.7 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Hudspeth 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 Hudspeth County, TX?
Hudspeth County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Hudspeth County?
Hudspeth County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (25th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), hurricane (7th percentile), flooding (6th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 25th 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 Hudspeth County risk compare to the Texas average?
Hudspeth County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hudspeth County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Hudspeth County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hudspeth County's wildfire risk is at the 25th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Hudspeth County is at the 6th 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 Hudspeth County a safe place to live?
Hudspeth County's composite risk score of 2th 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 25th 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.