Taylor County Disaster Risk
Taylor County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
84th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#40
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Taylor County, Texas
Taylor faces notably elevated national risks
Taylor County's composite risk score of 83.81 rates as Relatively Moderate, substantially above the national average. The Abilene-area county experiences serious exposure to multiple natural hazard categories simultaneously.
Second-tier risk within Texas
At 83.81, Taylor County ranks well above Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Only a handful of Texas counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.
Taylor leads region in risk exposure
Taylor's 83.81 score exceeds neighboring Stonewall (3.82), Sutton (7.06), and Swisher (37.44) dramatically, while approaching Tarrant County (99.14). This concentration of hazard exposure distinguishes Taylor from most surrounding West Texas counties.
Wildfire and flooding top threat list
Wildfire risk at 89.73 is Taylor's most significant hazard, followed closely by flood risk at 82.76 and tornado risk at 73.92. Hurricane risk at 49.02 and earthquake risk at 38.52 create additional meaningful exposure.
Comprehensive protection is critical here
Taylor County residents require extensive homeowners insurance including flood, wildfire, tornado/wind, and hail coverage across most of the county. A standalone flood insurance policy is essential given the 82.76 flood risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Taylor County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Taylor County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 84th percentile, Taylor County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Taylor County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Taylor County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 90th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Taylor County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 83th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Taylor County residents.
Regional Context
At 34.8 points above the Texas state average, Taylor County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Texas county.
Is your household prepared for Taylor County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Taylor County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Taylor County?
How does Taylor County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Taylor County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Taylor 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.