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

Tom Green County Disaster Risk

Tom Green County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

77th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% 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 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tom Green County, Texas

Tom Green County's National Standing

Tom Green County scores 77.32 on the composite risk index, placing it above the national average and reflecting meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types. The county's risk rating of relatively low indicates moderate threats that require preparedness but are manageable with proper planning.

Risk Ranking Among Texas Counties

At 77.32, Tom Green County significantly exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevated score is primarily driven by extreme wildfire exposure and substantial flood risk relative to the state baseline.

Compared to Surrounding Counties

Tom Green County's 77.32 score surpasses neighboring Upton County (7.67), one of Texas's safest areas, reflecting Tom Green's West Texas exposure to wildfire corridors. The county faces notably higher overall risk than most rural West Texas neighbors, with wildfire conditions being the defining difference.

Your Primary Natural Disaster Threats

Wildfire risk dominates at 93.13, making it the county's most severe hazard, followed by substantial flood risk (76.65) from occasional heavy precipitation events. Tornado activity (73.73) adds a third significant threat, creating a multi-hazard environment that demands year-round awareness.

Prepare for Multiple Hazards

Wildfire exposure demands proactive home hardening: clear vegetation 30 feet from your home, install metal gutters, and use fire-resistant roofing materials. Ensure your homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage explicitly, and add flood insurance through the NFIP if you're in a flood-prone area, as standard policies exclude flood damage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tom Green County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tom Green County

Risk Verdict

Tom Green County's FEMA risk score places it at the 77th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Tom Green County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Tom Green County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tom Green County sits at the 93th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Tom Green 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. The county's flood exposure at the 77th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Tom Green 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

The Texas county average is 28.3 composite points below Tom Green County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Tom Green 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 Tom Green County, TX?
Tom Green County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 77th 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 Tom Green County?
Tom Green County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (47th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 93th 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 Tom Green County risk compare to the Texas average?
Tom Green County's composite risk percentile is 77th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tom Green County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Tom Green County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Tom Green County's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tom Green County is at the 77th 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 Tom Green County higher risk than average?
Tom Green County's composite risk score of 77th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (93th percentile), along with flooding and 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.