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

Kent County Disaster Risk

Kent County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#250

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% 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 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kent County, Texas

Kent is among America's safest counties

With a composite score of just 1.08, Kent County ranks among the lowest-risk counties nationally, earning a "Very Low" rating. Residents here experience minimal exposure to most natural disasters.

Kent sits well below Texas hazard averages

Kent's score of 1.08 is 98% below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the safest counties in the state. Only wildfire risk of 66.51 rises above modest levels, a reflection of the West Texas plains environment.

Kent is the safest county in its region

Kent's score of 1.08 dwarfs nearby counties like Kaufman (76.18), Kendall (65.49), and Kerr (77.16). Its remote West Texas location and flat terrain provide exceptional protection against most hazards.

Wildfires are the lone notable threat

Wildfire risk of 66.51 is the only hazard scoring significantly above baseline for Kent County; all other risks fall below 10. Grassland fires pose seasonal concerns during dry periods, particularly in late summer.

Focus insurance on wildfire preparedness

Standard homeowner's insurance usually covers wildfire damage, but verify your policy includes it—some insurers exclude it in fire-prone areas. Maintain defensible space by managing vegetation and keeping gutters clear of dry debris.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kent County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    10th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    8th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Kent County

Risk Verdict

Kent County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 1th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Kent County can use the 1th 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 Kent County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 10th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (8th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Kent County's primary hazard at the 67th percentile nationally. For Kent 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 10th percentile nationally means Kent County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Kent 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, Kent County's composite score runs 47.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Kent 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 Kent County, TX?
Kent County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Kent County?
Kent County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (67th percentile), tornado (10th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 67th 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 Kent County risk compare to the Texas average?
Kent County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Kent County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Kent County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kent County's wildfire risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Kent County is at the 1th 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 Kent County a safe place to live?
Kent County's composite risk score of 1th 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 67th 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.