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

Somervell County Disaster Risk

Somervell County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#213

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Somervell County, Texas

Somervell: Very Low Risk Nationally

Somervell County's composite risk score of 10.81 ranks as very low, placing it far below the national average. Your county benefits from exceptionally low overall disaster exposure compared to most American counties.

Safest Among Texas Counties

At 10.81, Somervell ranks among Texas's lowest-risk counties, sitting 78% below the state average of 49.00. Only a handful of Texas counties enjoy comparable safety profiles.

Exceptionally Safe Locally

Somervell stands as one of the safest counties in central Texas, rivaled only by Sterling (1.11), Shackelford (1.43), and Stephens (9.22). Your location provides natural protection from major disaster corridors.

Wildfire Remains Top Concern

Wildfire risk (81.04) is Somervell's dominant hazard, reflecting the county's brushland and forest cover. Hurricane (42.93) and tornado (42.75) risks are moderate but substantially lower than your wildfire exposure.

Wildfire Insurance Is Priority

Despite low overall risk, Somervell residents should confirm their insurance covers wildfire damage, which standard homeowners policies often exclude. Create and maintain defensible space around your home, especially if located near vegetation.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Somervell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    43th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Somervell County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Somervell County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 11th percentile. A 11th percentile score positions Somervell County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Somervell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (43th percentile), flood (20th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for wildfire, Somervell County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary hurricane exposure at the 43th percentile nationally means Somervell County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Somervell County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Somervell County is 38.2 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Somervell 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 Somervell County, TX?
Somervell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Somervell County?
Somervell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flooding (20th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 81th 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 Somervell County risk compare to the Texas average?
Somervell County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Somervell County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Somervell County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Somervell County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Somervell County is at the 20th 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 Somervell County a safe place to live?
Somervell County's composite risk score of 11th 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 81th 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.