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

Jeff Davis County Disaster Risk

Jeff Davis County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#242

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jeff Davis County, Texas

Jeff Davis enjoys lowest-risk status

With a composite risk score of just 2.93, Jeff Davis County ranks in the very low category—one of Texas's safest counties nationally. This score sits dramatically below the state average of 49.00, reflecting exceptional geographic protection.

Among Texas's safest counties

Jeff Davis County's 2.93 score places it near the bottom of the risk spectrum across Texas's 254 counties. This isolated location in West Texas provides natural advantages that few Texas counties can match.

Safest in sparsely-settled region

Jeff Davis County's risk profile stands well below other West Texas counties, with particularly low flood (7.86), tornado (6.46), and hurricane (8.97) scores. Its remote location and elevation provide natural protection unavailable in more populated areas.

Wildfire remains the primary concern

While Jeff Davis County enjoys remarkably low overall risk, wildfire represents the one significant hazard at 88.49—the county's only high-scoring risk category. All other hazards score well below statewide averages, creating an unusually stable disaster risk environment.

Wildfire protection is prudent

Jeff Davis County's low overall risk means most residents can rely on standard homeowners policies without special flood or hurricane coverage. However, wildfire insurance or wildfire-resistant property upgrades remain worth considering given the local landscape.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jeff Davis County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    21th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jeff Davis County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Jeff Davis County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 3th percentile. Residents of Jeff Davis County can use the 3th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jeff Davis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 21th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (9th percentile), flood (8th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 88th percentile nationally for wildfire, Jeff Davis 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 21th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Jeff Davis County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Jeff Davis County is 46.1 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Jeff Davis 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 Jeff Davis County, TX?
Jeff Davis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Jeff Davis County?
Jeff Davis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), hurricane (9th percentile), flooding (8th percentile), tornado (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 88th 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 Jeff Davis County risk compare to the Texas average?
Jeff Davis County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jeff Davis County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Jeff Davis County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jeff Davis County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jeff Davis County is at the 8th 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 Jeff Davis County a safe place to live?
Jeff Davis County's composite risk score of 3th 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 88th 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.