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

Rains County Disaster Risk

Rains County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#204

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Rains County, Texas

Rains County ranks very low nationally

Rains County's composite risk score of 14.09 places it well below the national average, marking it as a very low-risk area for natural disasters. The North Central Texas county benefits from lower exposure to catastrophic hazards.

Among Texas's safest counties statewide

With a composite score of 14.09, Rains County ranks well below Texas's state average of 49.00, positioning it among the state's lower-risk counties. This makes it one of Texas's safer places to live from a natural disaster perspective.

Safe haven in North Central Texas

Rains County (14.09) enjoys significantly lower risk than Polk County (75.57) to the southeast, though it shares moderate tornado (62.12) and hurricane (41.97) risks with neighboring counties. Its location away from coastal and panhandle extremes provides protection.

Tornado and hurricane present moderate concerns

Rains County's tornado risk (62.12) and hurricane risk (41.97) represent its primary hazards, while flood (12.50), wildfire (42.49), and earthquake (22.65) risks remain low. Severe weather preparedness is the key priority for residents.

Standard coverage provides good protection

Rains County residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind and hail coverage for tornado protection and review flood coverage for areas near streams. Most residents will find standard homeowners insurance adequate given the county's low overall risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Rains County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Rains County

Risk Verdict

At the 14th percentile nationally, Rains County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Rains County's 14th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Rains County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (42th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), flood (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Rains County ranks at the 62th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Rains County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 42th percentile nationally means Rains County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Rains County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

A composite score 34.9 points below the Texas state average puts Rains County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Rains 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 Rains County, TX?
Rains County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Rains County?
Rains County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (62th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), flooding (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 62th 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 Rains County risk compare to the Texas average?
Rains County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Rains County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Rains County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Rains County's tornado risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Rains County is at the 13th 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 Rains County a safe place to live?
Rains County's composite risk score of 14th 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 62th 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.