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

Wilbarger County Disaster Risk

Wilbarger County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#139

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wilbarger County, Texas

Wilbarger sits near the national middle

With a composite risk score of 46.09 and a "Relatively Low" rating, Wilbarger County sits slightly below the national average for natural disaster risk. While not among the nation's safest counties, Wilbarger faces moderate exposure overall.

Lower-risk compared to Texas average

Wilbarger's score of 46.09 falls below Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the lower-risk half of Texas counties. The county benefits from relatively reduced exposure compared to many other Texas areas.

Safer than Wichita, comparable to Wheeler

Wilbarger County (46.09) faces notably lower risk than neighbor Wichita County (81.90) but slightly higher exposure than Wheeler County (41.28). It occupies a middle position in the Panhandle's risk spectrum.

Wildfire and tornado risks dominate

Wilbarger's wildfire risk of 63.52 and tornado risk of 61.86 emerge as the county's primary hazards, both elevated within its overall profile. Flood risk of 13.49 remains minimal, while hurricane exposure is negligible.

Focus on wind and wildfire coverage

Wilbarger County homeowners should prioritize wind damage coverage within their homeowners insurance policy for tornado and straight-line wind events. Verify that your policy covers wildfire damage, and create defensible space around your property during wildfire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wilbarger County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wilbarger County

Risk Verdict

At the 46th percentile nationally, Wilbarger County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Being ranked at the 46th percentile nationally is an advantage for Wilbarger County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wilbarger County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (35th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flood (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Wilbarger County's primary hazard at the 64th percentile nationally. For Wilbarger 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 62th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Wilbarger 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 2.9 points from the Texas county mean, Wilbarger 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 Wilbarger 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 Wilbarger County, TX?
Wilbarger County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Wilbarger County?
Wilbarger County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), tornado (62th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flooding (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Wilbarger County risk compare to the Texas average?
Wilbarger County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wilbarger County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Wilbarger County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wilbarger County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wilbarger County is at the 13th 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.
Is Wilbarger County a safe place to live?
Wilbarger County's composite risk score of 46th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.