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

Motley County Disaster Risk

Motley County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#239

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Motley County, Texas

Motley: Lowest Risk in Texas Sample

Motley County scores just 3.18 on the national composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and representing one of America's safest counties for natural disasters. This remote Panhandle county sits dramatically below Texas's state average of 49.00 and the national norm.

Texas's Lowest-Risk County by Far

Motley ranks as the lowest-risk county in this Texas sample by a substantial margin, with minimal exposure across nearly all hazard categories. The county's sparse population, semi-arid climate, and distance from major weather corridors create exceptional disaster safety.

Far Safer Than Regional Peers

Motley's score of 3.18 stands dramatically lower than any neighboring Panhandle county, including Moore (61.90) and Montague (54.87). The county's geographic isolation and low population density contribute to its unique low-risk profile in the region.

Wildfire Only Significant Hazard

Motley County faces wildfire risk at 80.31, its only substantial natural disaster threat, while tornado risk (14.85) and all other hazards remain minimal. Flood risk is negligible at 1.56, hurricane risk at 9.76, and earthquake risk at 4.42.

Basic Coverage Sufficient for Motley

Motley residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage as a precaution during dry seasons, though overall disaster risk remains exceptionally low. Focus on landscape management—clearing brush and dead trees—as your primary disaster preparation strategy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Motley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    15th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Motley County

Risk Verdict

Motley County's overall natural disaster score at the 3th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 3th percentile score positions Motley County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Motley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 15th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (10th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 80th percentile nationally, Motley County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Motley County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 15th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Motley County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Motley County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Motley County's composite risk score sits 45.8 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Motley 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 Motley County, TX?
Motley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Motley County?
Motley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (80th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 80th 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 Motley County risk compare to the Texas average?
Motley County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Motley County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Motley County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Motley County's wildfire risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Motley County is at the 2th 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 Motley County a safe place to live?
Motley County's composite risk score of 3th 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 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Roberts County

Texas

-0.1

Very Low

3th percentile

Throckmorton County

Texas

+0.1

Very Low

3th percentile

Menard County

Texas

-0.1

Very Low

3th 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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