riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Panola County Disaster Risk

Panola County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#124

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

44th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Panola County

Risk Verdict

Panola County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 55th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Panola County, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 78th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (72th), earthquake (51th), flood (44th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Panola 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 hurricane 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

Panola County is significantly riskier than the average county in Texas. Its composite risk score is 6.4 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 Panola County, TX?
Panola County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Panola County?
Panola County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (82th percentile), hurricane (78th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (51th percentile), flooding (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 82th 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 Panola County risk compare to the Texas average?
Panola County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Panola County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Panola County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Panola County's tornado risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Panola County is at the 44th 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 Panola County higher risk than average?
Panola County's composite risk score of 55th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (82th percentile), along with hurricane 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

Palo Pinto County

Texas

-0.2

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Shelby County

Texas

+0.3

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Frio County

Texas

+0.5

Relatively Low

56th 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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