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

Lamb County Disaster Risk

Lamb County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

61th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#101

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lamb County, Texas

Lamb County faces above-average risk

Lamb County's composite risk score of 61.23 exceeds the national average, though its "Relatively Low" rating suggests manageable exposure. The score reflects concentrated vulnerability to specific hazards in the Texas Panhandle region.

Above average for Texas counties

Lamb County scores 61.23 against Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the elevated-risk category statewide. The 25% increase over the state baseline reflects the county's exposure to Panhandle-specific hazards.

Riskier than surrounding Panhandle counties

Lamb County's 61.23 score exceeds nearby Lampasas County (29.93) and sits well below Lamar County (79.55). Within its regional context, Lamb represents a moderate-risk outlier.

Wildfire and tornado threats lead

Wildfire risk of 85.85 and tornado risk of 58.72 represent Lamb County's primary hazards, typical of High Plains geography. Flood risk remains low at 18.61, though hurricane exposure reaches 43.68 despite the county's inland location.

Wildfire insurance and storm prep essential

Lamb County residents should ensure homeowners policies explicitly cover wildfire damage and maintain defensible space around properties. Storm shelters and comprehensive wind coverage also warrant priority given the 58.72 tornado risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lamb County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    44th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lamb County

Risk Verdict

Lamb County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Lamb County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lamb County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (44th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), flood (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Lamb County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 86th percentile nationally. Lamb County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 59th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Lamb County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

Lamb County's composite risk score sits 12.2 points above the Texas county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lamb 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 Lamb County, TX?
Lamb County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 61th 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 Lamb County?
Lamb County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (86th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile), flooding (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 86th 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 Lamb County risk compare to the Texas average?
Lamb County's composite risk percentile is 61th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lamb County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Lamb County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lamb County's wildfire risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lamb County is at the 19th 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.
Why is Lamb County higher risk than average?
Lamb County's composite risk score of 61th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (86th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.