Swisher County Disaster Risk
Swisher County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#153
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
12th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Swisher County, Texas
Swisher carries moderate natural disaster risk
Swisher County's composite risk score of 37.44 falls below the national average but well short of high-risk counties. This panhandle county faces material exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and wildfires.
Mid-range risk within Texas
At 37.44, Swisher scores below the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of the state's risk distribution. The county is safer than many Texas counties but faces more exposure than its westernmost neighbors.
Swisher faces higher risks than nearby peers
Swisher's score of 37.44 exceeds Stonewall County (3.82), Sutton County (7.06), and Terrell County (0.41) substantially. Terry County (52.04) and Tarrant County (99.14) present even greater risk profiles, showing the range across this region.
Tornadoes and wildfires dominate hazard profile
Tornado risk in Swisher reaches 61.07, the county's primary concern, while wildfire risk at 87.75 poses a significant secondary threat. Hurricane risk at 43.14 and earthquake risk at 33.24 round out meaningful exposures.
Tornado and fire coverage are essential
Swisher residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with enhanced wind and hail coverage for tornado protection. Additional wildfire and brush fire riders are highly recommended given the county's 87.75 wildfire score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Swisher County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Swisher County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Swisher County ranks at the 37th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 37th percentile, Swisher County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Swisher County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (43th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flood (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Swisher County sits at the 88th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Swisher County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 61th percentile nationally means Swisher County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Swisher County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 11.6 points below the Texas state average, Swisher County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Swisher County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Swisher County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Swisher County?
How does Swisher County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Swisher County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Swisher 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.