Parmer County Disaster Risk
Parmer County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
82th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#45
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
5th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Parmer County, Texas
Parmer ranks moderate for disaster risk
Parmer County's composite risk score of 81.81 places it well above the national average, marking it as a relatively moderate-risk area. This score reflects a mix of hazards, with wildfire and tornado risks particularly elevated compared to most U.S. counties.
Above Texas average on the risk scale
With a composite score of 81.81, Parmer County exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevated risk is driven primarily by wildfire hazards and tornado exposure.
High-risk panhandle county compared to peers
Parmer's risk profile (81.81) is substantially higher than neighboring Presidio County (10.24) to the southwest and comparable to fellow panhandle counties Randall (86.77) and Potter (90.49). The county's isolation in the northern plains amplifies exposure to wind-driven threats.
Wildfire and tornado dominate the hazard profile
Parmer faces exceptional wildfire risk (67.18) and notable tornado risk (41.95), making these dual threats the primary natural disaster concerns for residents. Hurricane risk (40.97) remains moderate but more distant than the immediate wildfire and severe weather threats.
Secure comprehensive coverage today
Parmer County residents should prioritize wind and hail insurance to guard against tornado damage, plus wildfire coverage if they live in at-risk areas. Standard homeowners policies may not cover all storm-related damage, so review your policy specifics with your agent.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Parmer County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Parmer County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Parmer County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 82th. Parmer County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Parmer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (41th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile), flood (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 67th percentile nationally for wildfire, Parmer 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 42th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Parmer County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 32.8 points above the Texas state average puts Parmer County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Parmer County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Parmer County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Parmer County?
How does Parmer County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Parmer County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Parmer County higher risk than average?
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.