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

Reeves County Disaster Risk

Reeves County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#196

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Reeves County, Texas

Reeves County ranks among nation's safest

Reeves County's composite risk score of 19.15 places it in the Very Low category, well below the national average and among the safest counties nationally. Residents enjoy exceptionally low exposure to most major natural disaster types.

Texas's safest county by composite score

Reeves County's 19.15 score ranks as the lowest in Texas, nearly 30 points below the state average of 49.00. This exceptional safety profile reflects the remote, sparsely populated character of far West Texas.

Safer than all surrounding West Texas counties

Reeves County's Very Low rating significantly outpaces neighboring Pecos, Terrell, and Brewster counties, which face higher wildfire and flood exposures. Its position in the isolated Permian Basin contributes to reduced multi-hazard overlap.

Wildfire presents the main concern

Wildfire risk reaches 51.15 in Reeves County, making it the county's primary natural hazard despite overall very low risk. Flood risk at 31.52 ranks second, tied to flash-flood potential in desert terrain.

Homeowners should cover wildfire exposure

Reeves County residents should verify that wildfire damage is explicitly included in homeowners policies, as coverage gaps are common in remote areas. Standard homeowners policies typically cover flood through separate riders if purchased.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Reeves County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    32th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    25th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Reeves County

Risk Verdict

Reeves County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 19th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 19th percentile nationally, Reeves County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Reeves County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (25th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Reeves County's primary hazard at the 51th percentile nationally. For Reeves County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary flood exposure at the 32th percentile nationally means Reeves County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Reeves County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Texas county average, Reeves County's composite score runs 29.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Reeves 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 Reeves County, TX?
Reeves County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Reeves County?
Reeves County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (51th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 51th 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 Reeves County risk compare to the Texas average?
Reeves County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Reeves County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Reeves County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Reeves County's wildfire risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Reeves County is at the 32th 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 Reeves County a safe place to live?
Reeves County's composite risk score of 19th 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 51th 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.