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

Irion County Disaster Risk

Irion County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#246

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Irion County, Texas

Irion County ranks among safest nationally

Irion County scores just 1.78 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category and far below the national average. This exceptionally low score reflects one of the most benign natural hazard environments in the United States.

Lowest-risk county in West Texas

At 1.78, Irion County ranks dramatically below Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, positioning it among the state's safest counties. The county's risk score represents roughly one-quarter of the state average, indicating minimal natural disaster exposure.

Exceptional safety in the region

Irion County's composite risk of 1.78 makes it substantially safer than all neighboring counties including Crockett, Sterling, and Tom Green counties. This West Texas desert location provides natural protection from major storm systems and seismic activity.

Wildfire represents modest concern

Wildfire at 83.08 ranks as the county's highest risk exposure, though it remains isolated from other hazard types. All other risks—earthquake, tornado, hurricane, and flood—individually score below 30, creating an exceptionally low-hazard environment overall.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Irion County homeowners benefit from minimal natural disaster exposure and typically need only standard homeowners insurance to meet lender requirements. The county's risk profile does not warrant specialized hazard coverage or elevated premium expectations.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Irion County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Irion County

Risk Verdict

Irion County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 2th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Irion County's favorable 2th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Irion County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (9th percentile), flood (3th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Irion County's primary hazard at the 83th percentile nationally. For Irion County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's tornado exposure at the 11th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Irion County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Texas county average, Irion County's composite score runs 47.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Irion 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 Irion County, TX?
Irion 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 Irion County?
Irion County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (83th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), flooding (3th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 83th 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 Irion County risk compare to the Texas average?
Irion 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 Irion County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Irion County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Irion County's wildfire risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Irion County is at the 3th 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 Irion County a safe place to live?
Irion 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 83th 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.