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

Morris County Disaster Risk

Morris County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#160

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morris County, Texas

Morris: Very Low Risk Nationwide

Morris County scores just 34.54 on the national composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it well below Texas's state average of 49.00. This East Texas county ranks among the safer communities nationally for multi-hazard disaster exposure.

Safest Counties in Texas by Composite Score

Morris ranks in the lowest tier of Texas counties for natural disaster risk, benefiting from its distance from the Gulf Coast and relative isolation from major urban areas. The county's rural character and forested landscape create a lower-risk profile across most hazard categories.

Protected by Rural East Texas Location

Morris's score of 34.54 positions it as one of the safer counties in the piney woods region of East Texas, outperforming more populated neighbors to the east and south. The county's tornado risk at 79.26 is its primary concern, but overall exposure remains substantially below state averages.

Tornadoes and Hurricanes Present Real Risk

Morris County faces tornado risk at 79.26 and hurricane risk at 49.31, with wildfire exposure at 64.63 creating seasonal wildfire-related concerns. Flood risk remains low at 24.24, and earthquake exposure is minimal at 38.96.

Standard Insurance Plus Tornado Prep

Morris residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage to protect against tornado damage, the county's primary hazard. Develop a severe weather plan with a safe room or basement shelter, and ensure your insurance is reviewed annually to reflect property value changes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morris County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    49th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morris County

Risk Verdict

Morris County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally. Residents of Morris County can use the 35th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Morris County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (49th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), flood (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 79th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Morris County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 65th percentile nationally means Morris County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Morris County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Morris County falls 14.5 points below Texas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Morris 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 Morris County, TX?
Morris County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Morris County?
Morris County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (79th percentile), wildfire (65th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), flooding (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 79th 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 Morris County risk compare to the Texas average?
Morris County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Morris County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Morris County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Morris County's tornado risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Morris County is at the 24th 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 Morris County a safe place to live?
Morris County's composite risk score of 35th 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 tornado at the 79th 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.