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

Winkler County Disaster Risk

Winkler County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#234

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% 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 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Winkler County, Texas

Winkler County is among the nation's safest

With a composite risk score of just 4.13, Winkler County ranks as "Very Low" and sits far below the national average for natural disaster risk. This score represents one of the safest disaster profiles in the country.

Texas's lowest-risk county by far

Winkler's score of 4.13 is dramatically lower than the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it among the state's safest counties for natural disaster exposure. Few Texas counties match Winkler's low-risk profile.

Dramatically safer than surrounding West Texas

Winkler County (4.13) faces far lower risk than neighbors across West Texas, making it a relative haven from natural disasters. Its isolated west Texas location and arid climate minimize exposure to flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

No single hazard dominates meaningfully

Winkler's highest individual risk—wildfire at 57.35—remains moderate compared to other counties, while all other hazards score low. The county benefits from an extremely favorable natural hazard profile overall.

Standard homeowners insurance should suffice

Winkler County homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized flood or windstorm policies for most properties. The county's low-risk profile means disaster preparation focuses on routine home maintenance rather than emergency preparedness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Winkler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    19th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    16th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Winkler County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Winkler County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 4th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Winkler County's favorable 4th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Winkler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (16th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 57th percentile nationally for wildfire, Winkler County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 19th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Winkler County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Winkler County is 44.9 composite risk points below the Texas state mean, meaning most other Texas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Winkler 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 Winkler County, TX?
Winkler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Winkler County?
Winkler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Winkler County risk compare to the Texas average?
Winkler County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Winkler County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Winkler County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Winkler County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Winkler County is at the 5th 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 Winkler County a safe place to live?
Winkler County's composite risk score of 4th 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 57th 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.