Sutton County Disaster Risk
Sutton County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
7th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#225
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
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sutton County, Texas
Sutton ranks among America's safest counties
Sutton County's composite risk score of 7.06 places it firmly in the Very Low category, far below the national average. This West Texas county experiences minimal exposure to the combination of major natural hazards that affect most U.S. communities.
One of Texas's lowest-risk counties
Sutton's score of 7.06 ranks it among the safest counties in Texas, well below the state average of 49.00. Few Texas counties achieve this level of natural disaster resilience.
Sutton leads its immediate region
Sutton County's score of 7.06 outperforms Stonewall County (3.82) in composite risk, though both remain very safe. Compared to nearby Swisher County at 37.44, Sutton demonstrates significantly lower overall hazard exposure.
Wildfire and hurricane are secondary concerns
Wildfire risk at 85.50 is Sutton's most elevated individual hazard, followed by hurricane risk at 29.24. Flood and tornado risks remain minimal at 19.12 and 14.19 respectively, reflecting the county's overall safety profile.
Standard homeowners insurance covers main risks
Given Sutton's Very Low overall rating, standard homeowners insurance with fire coverage should adequately protect most residents. Those in wildfire-prone areas should confirm their policy includes brush and grassfire protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sutton County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sutton County
Risk Verdict
At the 7th percentile nationally, Sutton County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Sutton County's favorable 7th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Sutton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (19th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Sutton County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Sutton County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, hurricane at the 29th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Sutton 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 41.9 points below the Texas state average puts Sutton County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Sutton County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sutton County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Sutton County?
How does Sutton County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Sutton County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sutton 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.