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

Randall County Disaster Risk

Randall County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

87th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Randall County, Texas

Randall ranks among highest-risk counties

Randall County's composite risk score of 86.77 places it well above the national average, marking it as a relatively moderate-risk area for natural disasters. The panhandle county faces exceptional exposure to tornado and wildfire hazards.

Among Texas's highest-risk counties

With a composite score of 86.77, Randall County significantly exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00 and ranks among the state's most hazardous counties. Panhandle geography creates this dangerous combination of threats.

Part of extreme-risk panhandle corridor

Randall County (86.77) shares extraordinary risk with neighboring Potter County (90.49) and Parmer County (81.81), forming a panhandle disaster hotspot. All three counties face nearly identical tornado and wildfire threats from the exposed plains.

Tornadoes and wildfires are primary threats

Randall County faces exceptional tornado risk (96.44) and wildfire risk (95.87), along with elevated earthquake risk (73.86) and flood risk (66.89). Like Potter County, hurricane risk is zero due to its distance from coastal areas.

Comprehensive wind coverage is essential

Randall County residents must prioritize wind and hail insurance to protect against tornado damage, plus wildfire coverage if located in vulnerable areas. Ensure your policy covers wind-driven damage and maintain a tested safe room or basement shelter.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Randall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    96th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Randall County

Risk Verdict

At the 87th percentile nationally, Randall County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Randall County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Randall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 96th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (74th percentile), flood (67th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 96th percentile nationally makes Randall County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 96th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Randall County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Randall County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Texas county average is 37.8 composite points below Randall County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Randall 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 Randall County, TX?
Randall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 87th 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 Randall County?
Randall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), wildfire (96th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Randall County risk compare to the Texas average?
Randall County's composite risk percentile is 87th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Randall County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Randall County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Randall County's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Randall County is at the 67th 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 Randall County higher risk than average?
Randall County's composite risk score of 87th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding 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

Johnson County

Texas

-0.1

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Gregg County

Texas

+0.2

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Jim Wells County

Texas

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

87th 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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