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

Roberts County Disaster Risk

Roberts County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#240

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Roberts County, Texas

Roberts County is the nation's safest

Roberts County's composite risk score of 3.12 ranks among the lowest in America, earning a Very Low rating with minimal exposure to most natural hazards. This exceptional safety profile reflects one of Texas's most remote and sparsely populated locations.

Texas's absolute lowest composite risk

Roberts County's 3.12 score represents the state's lowest composite risk—less than one-tenth of Texas's 49.00 average. Virtually no county in Texas rivals its hazard protection.

Dramatically safer than surrounding Panhandle

Roberts County's composite score of 3.12 vastly undercuts neighboring Hemphill (71.41) and Lipscomb (59.13) counties, making it the region's safest jurisdiction. Its isolated position in the Texas Panhandle's northwestern corner keeps it distant from major hazard zones.

Wildfire is Roberts County's only real concern

Wildfire risk at 75.35 stands as Roberts County's sole significant hazard, driven by grassland fuel and seasonal drought vulnerability. All other risks score negligibly, with flood risk at just 0.38 and earthquake at 4.55.

Wildfire insurance is the main priority

Roberts County homeowners should ensure wildfire coverage is included in their policies, as standard homeowners often exclude it despite the 75.35 risk score. Beyond wildfire, most residents can maintain minimal supplemental disaster coverage due to exceptional overall safety.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Roberts County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    13th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Roberts County

Risk Verdict

At the 3th percentile nationally, Roberts County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 3th percentile, Roberts County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Roberts County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 13th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (7th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile), flood (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Roberts County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Roberts County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 13th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Roberts County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 45.9 points below the Texas state average puts Roberts County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Roberts 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 Roberts County, TX?
Roberts County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Roberts County?
Roberts County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (13th percentile), hurricane (7th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile), flooding (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 75th 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 Roberts County risk compare to the Texas average?
Roberts County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Roberts County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Roberts County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Roberts County's wildfire risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Roberts County is at the 0th 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 Roberts County a safe place to live?
Roberts County's composite risk score of 3th 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 75th 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.