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

Presidio County Disaster Risk

Presidio County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#214

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% 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 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Presidio County, Texas

Presidio ranks among safest U.S. counties

Presidio County's composite risk score of 10.24 places it far below the national average, marking it as a very low-risk area for natural disasters. This remote Big Bend location offers exceptional protection from most catastrophic hazards.

Among Texas's lowest-risk counties

With a composite score of 10.24, Presidio County ranks well below Texas's state average of 49.00 and among the state's safest counties. Its remote West Texas location shields it from major disaster threats.

Safest county in a remote region

Presidio County (10.24) faces substantially lower risk than nearby Pecos County (25.13) and dramatically lower risk than panhandle counties Parmer (81.81), Potter (90.49), and Randall (86.77). Its isolation provides natural disaster protection.

Wildfire is the lone elevated threat

Presidio County's wildfire risk (80.15) stands notably high, yet its tornado (7.82), flood (18.13), and hurricane (14.43) risks remain exceptionally low. The arid Big Bend landscape drives wildfire exposure while isolation provides safety from other hazards.

Basic coverage meets most needs

Presidio County residents should ensure wildfire coverage in their homeowners policies and maintain defensible space around structures. For most residents, standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection given the county's very low overall risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Presidio County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    18th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Presidio County

Risk Verdict

Presidio County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 10th percentile nationally. At the 10th percentile, Presidio County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Presidio County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (18th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Presidio County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 80th percentile nationally. Presidio County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 34th percentile nationally means Presidio County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Presidio County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Texas county average exceeds Presidio County's score by 38.8 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Presidio 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 Presidio County, TX?
Presidio County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Presidio County?
Presidio County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (80th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), tornado (8th 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 Presidio County risk compare to the Texas average?
Presidio County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Presidio County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Presidio County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Presidio County's wildfire risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Presidio County is at the 18th 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 Presidio County a safe place to live?
Presidio County's composite risk score of 10th 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.
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.