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

Moore County Disaster Risk

Moore County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#98

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Moore County, Texas

Moore: Low Risk Despite Wildfire Threat

Moore County scores 61.90 on the national composite risk scale, ranking as "Relatively Low" and exceeding Texas's state average of 49.00 primarily due to wildfire exposure. The Panhandle county's overall risk profile remains manageable compared to higher-threat regions nationally.

Panhandle County, Moderate Texas Rank

Moore ranks in the middle-to-lower range among Texas's 254 counties, driven largely by wildfire hazards common to the Panhandle plains region. The county's tornado and earthquake risks add modest elevation above the state average, but remain below coastal and urban county levels.

Similar Risk to High Plains Neighbors

Moore's composite score of 61.90 aligns closely with other Texas Panhandle counties facing comparable wildfire and tornado exposure. The county's near-zero hurricane risk (0.00) and minimal flood risk (9.61) distinguish it favorably from counties further east or south.

Wildfire and Tornado Dominate Hazard Profile

Moore County's wildfire risk peaks at 89.25, making it the dominant natural disaster threat for residents and agricultural operations. Tornado risk reaches 75.45, while flood (9.61) and hurricane (0.00) risks are negligible in this semi-arid Panhandle location.

Focus on Wind and Wildfire Protection

Moore County homeowners should prioritize windstorm coverage and ensure their insurance includes wildfire damage protection, especially in rural areas near grasslands. Create a 30-foot defensible perimeter around your home by removing dead vegetation, and keep gutters clear of debris to reduce ignition risk during fire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Moore County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Moore County

Risk Verdict

Moore County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 62th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Moore County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Moore County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (39th percentile), flood (10th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 89th percentile nationally for wildfire, Moore County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary tornado exposure at the 75th percentile nationally means Moore County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Moore County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

A composite score 12.9 points above the Texas state average puts Moore County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Moore 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 Moore County, TX?
Moore County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Moore County?
Moore County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (75th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), flooding (10th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Moore County risk compare to the Texas average?
Moore County's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Moore County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Moore County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Moore County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Moore County is at the 10th 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 Moore County higher risk than average?
Moore County's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (89th 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.