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

Lipscomb County Disaster Risk

Lipscomb County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

28th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#175

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lipscomb County, Texas

Lipscomb County: Very Low Risk

Lipscomb County scores just 27.89 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting 43% below the Texas state average of 49.00. This makes Lipscomb one of Texas's safest counties for natural disaster exposure, though wildfire risk presents a notable exception.

Lipscomb's Safe Standing in Texas

Lipscomb County ranks among Texas's lowest-risk counties overall, with a composite score of 27.89 that reflects minimal exposure to floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. The county's risk profile is dramatically better than most Texas peers.

Lipscomb Among the Panhandle

Lipscomb County (27.89) is substantially safer than all nearby counties, including Leon County (58.30), Llano County (70.39), and Liberty County (79.52). Its very low risk aligns more closely with Loving County (0.03), Texas's lowest-risk county, and contrasts sharply with Lubbock County (96.25) to the south.

Lipscomb's One Main Threat

Wildfire risk (84.57) stands out dramatically in Lipscomb County, representing the county's only significant natural hazard exposure. All other hazard types—flood (4.36), tornado (29.83), earthquake (18.54), and hurricane (16.73)—remain minimal.

Focused Protection for Lipscomb Homes

Lipscomb County residents should prioritize wildfire insurance or a comprehensive homeowners policy with wildfire coverage, particularly if living near grasslands or rangeland. Standard flood and hurricane insurance remains affordable if you're risk-averse, but the county's overall exposure is among the lowest in Texas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lipscomb County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    30th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    19th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lipscomb County

Risk Verdict

At the 28th percentile nationally, Lipscomb County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Lipscomb County's favorable 28th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lipscomb County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 30th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (19th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lipscomb County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Lipscomb County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 30th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Lipscomb 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 21.1 points below the Texas state average puts Lipscomb County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Lipscomb 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 Lipscomb County, TX?
Lipscomb County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 28th 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 Lipscomb County?
Lipscomb County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), hurricane (17th percentile), flooding (4th 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 Lipscomb County risk compare to the Texas average?
Lipscomb County's composite risk percentile is 28th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lipscomb County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Lipscomb County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lipscomb County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lipscomb County is at the 4th 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 Lipscomb County a safe place to live?
Lipscomb County's composite risk score of 28th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Collingsworth County

Texas

-0.5

Very Low

27th percentile

Kenedy County

Texas

+0.5

Very Low

28th percentile

Newton County

Texas

-0.7

Very Low

27th percentile

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.

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