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

Scurry County Disaster Risk

Scurry County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#169

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Scurry County, Texas

Scurry County below national average

Scurry County's composite risk score of 29.99 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average of 44.0. The county faces below-average natural disaster exposure, though wildfire represents a notable regional concern.

Lower risk than typical Texas county

At 29.99, Scurry County scores 19 points below Texas's 49.00 state average, placing it in the lower-risk tier of Texas counties. The county benefits from its inland plains location away from major coastal and seismic hazards.

Moderate protection among nearby areas

Scurry County (29.99) carries more risk than the exceptional safety of San Saba County (7.28) and Schleicher County (3.75), but less than San Patricio County (85.40). Its plains location creates a middle-ground risk profile in West Texas.

Wildfire dominates this plains county

Wildfire risk scores extremely high at 88.23, making grassland fires a critical concern for Scurry County residents and ranchers during dry seasons. Tornado risk reaches 43.26, and all other hazards score notably low given the county's inland plains location.

Prioritize wildfire and wind protection

Scurry County homeowners should ensure comprehensive wind and hail coverage in their policies, with particular attention to wildfire protection given the extreme risk. Maintain defensible space around structures, keep gutters and roof clear of debris, and prepare an evacuation plan for fire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Scurry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    24th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Scurry County

Risk Verdict

Scurry County's overall natural disaster score at the 30th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Scurry County's favorable 30th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Scurry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (24th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 88th percentile nationally, Scurry County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Scurry County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 43th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Scurry County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Scurry County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Scurry County's composite risk score sits 19.0 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Scurry 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 Scurry County, TX?
Scurry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 Scurry County?
Scurry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flooding (24th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 88th 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 Scurry County risk compare to the Texas average?
Scurry County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Scurry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Scurry County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Scurry County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Scurry County is at the 24th 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 Scurry County a safe place to live?
Scurry County's composite risk score of 30th 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 88th 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.