Tarrant County Disaster Risk
Tarrant County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
99th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#4
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
99th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very High
Higher than 100% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Tarrant County, Texas
Tarrant faces significantly elevated national risks
Tarrant County's composite risk score of 99.14 places it in the Relatively High category, nearly double the national average. This densely populated Dallas-Fort Worth region confronts serious exposure across multiple natural hazard categories.
Texas's highest-risk county
At 99.14, Tarrant County ranks among the highest-risk counties in Texas, far exceeding the state average of 49.00. This metropolitan county bears substantially greater natural disaster exposure than virtually all other Texas communities.
Tarrant's risk dwarfs surrounding counties
Tarrant's score of 99.14 vastly exceeds neighboring counties like Taylor County (83.81) and Terry County (52.04). The urbanized DFW metroplex presents a unique hazard concentration compared to the surrounding rural Texas landscape.
Tornadoes, flooding, and wildfires threaten
Tornado risk at 99.87 is Tarrant's most severe hazard, combined with flood risk at 99.14 and wildfire risk at 91.48. Earthquake risk at 88.26 and hurricane risk at 72.26 create a multi-hazard environment uncommon in Texas.
Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable
Tarrant residents must carry robust homeowners insurance with specific tornado/wind, flood, and wildfire protections given the county's elevated scores across all categories. A separate flood insurance policy is strongly recommended for this high-risk metropolitan area.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Tarrant County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Tarrant County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard exposure in Tarrant County is notably high, placing it at the 99th percentile among all U.S. counties. Tarrant County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Tarrant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 99th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (88th percentile), hurricane (72th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 100th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Tarrant County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Tarrant County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 99th percentile nationally means Tarrant County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Tarrant County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 50.1 points above the Texas state average puts Tarrant County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Tarrant County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Tarrant County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Tarrant County?
How does Tarrant County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Tarrant County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Tarrant County higher risk than average?
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.