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

Hunt County Disaster Risk

Hunt County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

82th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hunt County, Texas

Hunt County ranks as high-risk nationally

Hunt County scores 82.19 on the composite risk scale, significantly exceeding the national average and earning a relatively moderate risk rating. This elevated score places the county in the higher tier of natural disaster exposure across the United States.

Highest-risk among North Texas counties

At 82.19, Hunt County substantially exceeds Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, ranking as one of the state's higher-risk counties. The county's score reflects a dangerous combination of tornado, flood, wildfire, and earthquake exposure.

Standout risk in Northeast Texas

Hunt County's composite risk of 82.19 markedly exceeds neighboring Fannin, Lamar, and Collin counties, making it a notable hotspot for natural hazard exposure in the region. The tornado risk of 96.47 alone surpasses virtually all surrounding counties.

Tornados create the greatest threat

Tornado risk reaches an extreme 96.47, positioning Hunt County as one of Texas's most tornado-prone areas and a focal point of severe spring weather. Flood risk at 71.72 and wildfire risk at 76.91 create additional seasonal hazards, while earthquake risk at 62.47 adds background seismic exposure.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy essential

Hunt County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit wind and hail coverage to address the severe tornado threat, plus separate flood insurance to cover inundation risk. Storm shelter construction or accessibility should also be part of household safety planning.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hunt County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    72th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hunt County

Risk Verdict

With a composite score at the 82th percentile, Hunt County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Hunt County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Hunt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (72th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 96th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Hunt 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. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 77th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Hunt County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Hunt 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 33.2 points above the Texas state average, Hunt County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Texas county.

Is your household prepared for Hunt 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 Hunt County, TX?
Hunt County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 82th 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 Hunt County?
Hunt County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), wildfire (77th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Hunt County risk compare to the Texas average?
Hunt County's composite risk percentile is 82th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hunt County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Hunt County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hunt County's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hunt County is at the 72th 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.
Why is Hunt County higher risk than average?
Hunt County's composite risk score of 82th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.