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

Stephens County Disaster Risk

Stephens County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#217

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stephens County, Texas

Stephens: Very Low Risk Nationally

Stephens County's composite risk score of 9.22 places it among America's safest counties, far below the national average. Your county enjoys exceptional protection from major natural disaster threats.

Among Texas's Safest

At 9.22, Stephens ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Texas, sitting 81% below the state average of 49.00. Only Sterling, Shackelford, and Somervell approach this elite safety tier.

Safest in West-Central Texas

Stephens County stands as one of the safest in its region, competing with Sterling (1.11) and Shackelford (1.43) for top honors. Your location in west Texas shields you from coastal and eastern hazard corridors.

Wildfire Your Primary Hazard

Wildfire risk (76.02) is Stephens County's dominant concern, though overall county risk remains very low. Hurricane (26.91) and tornado (34.00) risks are minimal, reflecting your inland western position.

Wildfire Coverage Recommended

While Stephens County's overall risk is very low, wildfire deserves attention given the 76.02 risk score. Verify your homeowners insurance includes wildfire coverage and maintain clear space around structures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stephens County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    27th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Stephens County

Risk Verdict

Stephens County's overall natural disaster score at the 9th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 9th percentile nationally, Stephens County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Stephens County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (27th percentile), flood (19th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 76th percentile nationally, Stephens 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 Stephens County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 34th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Stephens County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Stephens County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Stephens County's composite risk score sits 39.8 points below the Texas county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Stephens 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 Stephens County, TX?
Stephens County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Stephens County?
Stephens County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (76th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), flooding (19th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 76th 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 Stephens County risk compare to the Texas average?
Stephens County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Stephens County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Stephens County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Stephens County's wildfire risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stephens County is at the 19th 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 Stephens County a safe place to live?
Stephens County's composite risk score of 9th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Andrews County

Texas

-0.3

Very Low

9th percentile

Delta County

Texas

-0.3

Very Low

9th percentile

Briscoe County

Texas

-0.5

Very Low

9th 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.

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