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

King County Disaster Risk

King County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#253

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 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% 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 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in King County, Texas

King is among America's safest counties

King County's composite score of 0.32 ranks it among the nation's lowest-risk areas, with a "Very Low" rating across virtually all hazard categories. Residents face minimal natural disaster exposure.

King ranks as one of Texas's safest

Scoring 0.32 against the Texas state average of 49.00, King ranks among the very safest counties in the state. Its remote West Texas location and sparse development shield it from significant natural hazards.

King is the safest county in its region

King's score of 0.32 is dramatically lower than Kaufman (76.18), Kendall (65.49), and Kerr (77.16), making it an exceptional outlier. Its isolated West Texas plains setting provides unmatched protection.

No single hazard emerges as a threat

All hazard categories score below 12 for King County, with wildfire risk of 55.95 being the highest but still well below statewide averages. The county experiences minimal natural disaster risk in any form.

Standard insurance suffices here

Basic homeowner's insurance provides ample coverage for King County's minimal hazard exposure. Focus on routine maintenance and standard fire prevention rather than specialized disaster mitigation.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in King County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    8th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: King County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, King County ranks at the 0th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 0th percentile nationally, King County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is King County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (8th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

King County sits at the 56th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for King County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 11th percentile nationally means King County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In King County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 48.7 points below the Texas state average, King County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for King 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 King County, TX?
King County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 0th 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 King County?
King County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (56th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile), tornado (8th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 56th 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 King County risk compare to the Texas average?
King County's composite risk percentile is 0th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means King County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is King County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, King County's wildfire risk is at the 56th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, King 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 King County a safe place to live?
King County's composite risk score of 0th 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 56th 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.