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

Jones County Disaster Risk

Jones County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#150

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jones County, Texas

Jones ranks among safer Texas areas

Jones County's composite risk score of 37.95 places it in the very low category, sitting comfortably below Texas's state average of 49.00. This West Texas county enjoys substantially lower disaster exposure than most American communities.

Safer than most Texas counties

Jones County's 37.95 score places it in the safer half of Texas's 254 counties, with particularly low flood (39.69), earthquake (20.17), and hurricane (32.12) risks. The county's inland, sparsely-settled character provides natural protection.

Safest in rural West Texas region

Jones County's risk profile stands well below most neighboring West Texas counties, offering markedly lower tornado (54.36) and wildfire (85.40) exposure than many peers. Its elevation and landscape provide stability unavailable in more hazardous areas.

Wildfire is primary hazard

Wildfire represents Jones County's only significantly elevated risk at 85.40, reflecting the county's grassland environment. Tornado risk (54.36) and flood risk (39.69) remain manageable compared to statewide averages.

Basic coverage with wildfire prep

Jones County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without special flood or hurricane riders in most cases. However, wildfire-resistant landscaping and property maintenance are worthwhile investments given local fire exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jones County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    40th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Jones County

Risk Verdict

At the 38th percentile nationally, Jones County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 38th percentile, Jones County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jones County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (40th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jones County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Jones County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 54th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Jones County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 11.1 points below the Texas state average puts Jones County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Jones 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 Jones County, TX?
Jones County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Jones County?
Jones County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Jones County risk compare to the Texas average?
Jones County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jones County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Jones County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jones County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jones County is at the 40th 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 Jones County a safe place to live?
Jones County's composite risk score of 38th 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 85th 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.