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

Runnels County Disaster Risk

Runnels County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#179

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Runnels County, Texas

Runnels County's risk stays safely below average

Runnels County scores 26.49 for composite disaster risk, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average. The county's remote West Central Texas location insulates it from most major hazard zones.

Below-average risk for Texas profile

At 26.49, Runnels County runs substantially below Texas's 49.00 state average, placing it among the safer counties statewide. This favorable standing reflects distance from coast, major rivers, and population centers.

Safer than surrounding Central Texas counties

Runnels County's Very Low rating outperforms neighboring Coleman (41.58) and Concho (54.73) counties, benefiting from less dramatic terrain and lower severe weather frequency. Its position away from major river systems reduces flood exposure relative to surrounding areas.

Wildfire and tornado create dual hazard

Wildfire risk scores 72.49 in Runnels County, making it the county's primary natural disaster concern tied to grassland fuel and seasonal drought. Tornado risk at 42.11 ranks second, reflecting typical Central Texas spring severe weather patterns.

Homeowners should prioritize wildfire coverage

Runnels County residents should verify that wildfire damage is explicitly covered in their homeowners policies, as coverage gaps are common in rural Texas. Standard homeowners policies typically cover tornado damage, but hail protection should be confirmed during policy review.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Runnels County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    33th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Runnels County

Risk Verdict

Runnels County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 26th percentile nationally. Runnels County's 26th 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

Wildfire risk is Runnels County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (33th percentile), flood (23th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 72th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Runnels County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 42th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Runnels County residents.

Regional Context

Runnels County falls 22.5 points below Texas's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Runnels 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 Runnels County, TX?
Runnels County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Runnels County?
Runnels County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (72th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 72th 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 Runnels County risk compare to the Texas average?
Runnels County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Runnels County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Runnels County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Runnels County's wildfire risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Runnels County is at the 23th 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 Runnels County a safe place to live?
Runnels County's composite risk score of 26th 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 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Donley County

Texas

+0.1

Very Low

27th percentile

Falls County

Texas

-0.3

Very Low

26th percentile

Newton County

Texas

+0.7

Very Low

27th 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.

Explore more data for Runnels County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score