Hutchinson County Disaster Risk
Hutchinson County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
68th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#86
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
21th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hutchinson County, Texas
Hutchinson County shows elevated risk profile
Hutchinson County scores 67.68 on the composite risk scale, notably above the national average and reflecting a relatively low overall rating despite concentrated wildfire and tornado exposure. The score positions the county in the upper-middle risk band nationally.
Above-average risk for the Panhandle
At 67.68, Hutchinson County runs significantly above Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, placing it in the elevated-risk tier among the state's 254 counties. The elevation stems almost entirely from extreme wildfire and tornado threats.
Panhandle hotspot for multiple hazards
Hutchinson County's composite risk substantially exceeds neighboring Potter, Carson, and Ochiltree counties, driven by wildfire risk of 94.94 and tornado risk of 78.34. These paired threats create a more hazardous environment than the typical Panhandle county.
Wildfires and tornadoes define exposure
Wildfire risk reaches 94.94, representing one of the state's highest exposures and reflecting the Panhandle's dry grasslands and fire season intensity. Tornado risk at 78.34 creates substantial spring and fall vulnerability, while flood risk remains relatively low at 21.37.
Wildfire and wind coverage are critical
Hutchinson County homeowners must ensure their policies include comprehensive wildfire coverage and strong wind/hail protection given the dual tornado-wildfire threat environment. Defensible space maintenance—clearing dead vegetation and managing tree canopy—provides essential supplementary protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hutchinson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hutchinson County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Hutchinson County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 68th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Hutchinson County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Hutchinson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (37th percentile), flood (21th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 95th percentile nationally, Hutchinson 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 Hutchinson County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 78th percentile nationally means Hutchinson County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Hutchinson County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Hutchinson County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Hutchinson County is 18.7 composite risk points above the Texas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Hutchinson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hutchinson County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Hutchinson County?
How does Hutchinson County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Hutchinson County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Hutchinson 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.