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

Sabine County Disaster Risk

Sabine County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#188

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sabine County, Texas

Sabine County well below U.S. risk

Sabine County's composite risk score of 22.11 places it in the "Very Low" category, significantly safer than the national average of 44.0. This below-average profile means residents face fewer cumulative natural disaster threats than most of the country.

Among Texas's safest counties

At 22.11, Sabine County scores well below the Texas state average of 49.00, ranking it among the lower-risk counties statewide. The county benefits from its inland, forested location away from major seismic or tornado corridors.

Safer than surrounding counties

Sabine County (22.11) offers better natural disaster risk protection than its immediate neighbors Rusk County (54.01) and San Jacinto County (58.87). San Augustine County (17.62) is the only adjacent county with notably lower risk, making Sabine a relatively stable area in east Texas.

Hurricane and wildfire concerns persist

Hurricane risk reaches 73.76 despite the county's inland position, as tropical moisture and wind can travel inland during storm season. Wildfire risk scores 58.62, reflecting the piney woods environment that requires careful fire management.

Standard coverage sufficient for most

Sabine County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Still verify your policy includes wind and hail coverage given seasonal hurricane impacts, and maintain clear vegetation around your home during fire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sabine County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    44th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Sabine County

Risk Verdict

Sabine County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 22th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Sabine County can use the 22th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Sabine County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (44th percentile), flood (33th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sabine County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 74th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Sabine County's wildfire exposure at the 59th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Sabine County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Texas county average, Sabine County's composite score runs 26.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Sabine 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 Sabine County, TX?
Sabine County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Sabine County?
Sabine County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (74th percentile), wildfire (59th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 74th 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 Sabine County risk compare to the Texas average?
Sabine County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Sabine County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Sabine County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Sabine County's hurricane risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Sabine County is at the 33th 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 Sabine County a safe place to live?
Sabine County's composite risk score of 22th 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 hurricane at the 74th 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.