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

Sherman County Disaster Risk

Sherman County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#168

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% 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 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sherman County, Texas

Sherman: Very Low National Risk

Sherman County's composite risk score of 30.28 falls well below the national average, placing it in the very low category. Your county enjoys substantially lower disaster exposure than most American communities.

Well Below Texas Average

At 30.28, Sherman ranks among the safer Texas counties, sitting 38% below the state average of 49.00. It demonstrates strong relative safety within the state's disaster risk landscape.

Safest in the Panhandle

Sherman County is one of the safest counties in this region, competing only with Shackelford (1.43) and Sterling (1.11) for top safety status. Your northern location provides natural protection from many Texas hazards.

Wildfire Risk Dominates

Wildfire risk (65.20) is Sherman's primary concern, reflecting the dry grasslands and sparse development of the Texas Panhandle. Tornado (18.61) and earthquake (18.35) risks are comparatively modest, and hurricane data is limited.

Focus on Wildfire Readiness

Though Sherman's overall risk is low, wildfire preparedness should be a priority for rural homeowners and landowners. Review your insurance coverage for wildfire exclusions and maintain defensible space around your property.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sherman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    19th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    18th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Sherman County

Risk Verdict

At the 30th percentile nationally, Sherman County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Sherman County residents can take confidence from a 30th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sherman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (18th percentile), flood (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sherman County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Sherman County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 19th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Sherman 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 18.7 points below the Texas state average puts Sherman County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Sherman 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 Sherman County, TX?
Sherman 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 Sherman County?
Sherman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (65th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile), flooding (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 65th 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 Sherman County risk compare to the Texas average?
Sherman 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 Sherman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Sherman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sherman County's wildfire risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Sherman County is at the 1th 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 Sherman County a safe place to live?
Sherman 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 65th 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.