riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lubbock County Disaster Risk

Lubbock County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

96th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

92th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% 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 High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lubbock County

Risk Verdict

Lubbock County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Lubbock County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 92th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (86th), earthquake (60th), hurricane (47th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Lubbock County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Lubbock County is significantly riskier than the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is 47.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lubbock County, TX?
Lubbock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 96th 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 Lubbock County?
Lubbock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (99th percentile), flooding (92th percentile), wildfire (86th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 99th 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 Lubbock County risk compare to the Texas average?
Lubbock County's composite risk percentile is 96th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lubbock County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Lubbock County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lubbock County's tornado risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lubbock County is at the 92th 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 Lubbock County higher risk than average?
Lubbock County's composite risk score of 96th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (99th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Nueces County

Texas

+0.4

Relatively High

97th percentile

Montgomery County

Texas

-0.5

Relatively High

96th percentile

Jefferson County

Texas

-0.6

Relatively High

96th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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