Sterling County Disaster Risk
Sterling County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
1th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#249
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 70% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sterling County, Texas
Sterling: America's Safest
Sterling County's composite risk score of 1.11 makes it one of the safest counties in the entire United States. Your county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to virtually any other American community.
Texas's Lowest-Risk County
At 1.11, Sterling ranks as the safest county in Texas, sitting 98% below the state average of 49.00. No other Texas county has lower composite risk exposure.
Safest in West Texas
Sterling County stands unmatched among neighbors, with risk far below Shackelford (1.43), Stephens (9.22), Somervell (10.81), and other regional counties. Your remote west Texas location provides maximum natural protection.
Wildfire Is Minimal Concern
Even Sterling County's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 69.75—remains modest in actual threat. Earthquake (0.67), flood (0.80), and hurricane (7.88) risks are negligible.
Standard Coverage Typically Sufficient
Sterling County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners insurance given the exceptional low-risk profile. Focus on maintaining adequate coverage for fire and standard perils; specialized disaster insurance is unlikely necessary.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sterling County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sterling County
Risk Verdict
Sterling County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 1th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. The 1th percentile national ranking is one lens; Sterling County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Sterling County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 12th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (8th percentile), flood (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Sterling County's primary hazard at the 70th percentile nationally. For Sterling County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 12th percentile nationally means Sterling County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Sterling County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Texas county average, Sterling County's composite score runs 47.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Sterling County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sterling County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Sterling County?
How does Sterling County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Sterling County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sterling County a safe place to live?
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.