riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Terry County Disaster Risk

Terry County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#132

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Terry County, Texas

Terry carries moderate national risk level

Terry County's composite risk score of 52.04 slightly exceeds the national average, placing it in the Relatively Low category. This South Plains county confronts material but manageable exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Slightly above Texas average risk

At 52.04, Terry scores just above Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it slightly higher-risk than the typical Texas county. The county sits in the middle of the state's risk distribution.

Terry faces more risk than western peers

Terry's 52.04 score exceeds Stonewall (3.82), Sutton (7.06), Swisher (37.44), and Terrell (0.41), but remains well below Tarrant (99.14) and Taylor (83.81). The county occupies the mid-range among this cluster of West and Central Texas communities.

Tornado and wildfire are primary concerns

Tornado risk at 54.55 is Terry's highest hazard exposure, followed by wildfire risk at 58.65, creating a dual threat profile. Hurricane risk at 31.33 and flood risk at 11.67 present secondary but meaningful concerns.

Wind and fire coverage recommended

Terry residents should secure homeowners insurance with robust tornado/wind and wildfire coverage, particularly given the county's 54.55 tornado score. Standard coverage should suffice for flood and other secondary hazards.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Terry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    31th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Terry County

Risk Verdict

At the 52th percentile nationally, Terry County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Terry County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Terry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (31th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), flood (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Terry County's primary hazard at the 59th percentile nationally. For Terry 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 55th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Terry 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

At 3.0 points from the Texas county mean, Terry County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Terry County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Terry County, TX?
Terry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 52th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Terry County?
Terry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (59th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), flooding (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 59th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Terry County risk compare to the Texas average?
Terry County's composite risk percentile is 52th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Terry County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Terry County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Terry County's wildfire risk is at the 59th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Terry County is at the 12th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Terry County higher risk than average?
Terry County's composite risk score of 52th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (59th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.