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

Wood County Disaster Risk

Wood County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#95

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wood County, Texas

Wood County faces moderate natural disaster risk

Wood County's composite risk score of 63.23 places it in the relatively low category nationally, though it ranks above average in the spectrum of American natural hazard exposure. The county's risk profile reflects a balanced mix of flood, wildfire, and hurricane vulnerabilities typical of northeastern Texas.

Above Texas average for disaster risk

Wood County scores 63.23 against the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the upper-middle range of risk across the state. This elevation reflects both elevated wildfire and hurricane threats alongside moderate flood exposure.

Highest risk among nearby North Texas counties

Wood County (63.23) carries notably higher risk than Young County (36.35) and Wise County (58.97), making it the riskiest in its immediate peer group. Its hurricane risk of 66.08 particularly distinguishes it from inland neighbors like Young County (41.93).

Hurricane and wildfire create dual threats

Hurricane risk reaches 66.08 in Wood County—substantially higher than most inland Texas counties—while wildfire risk of 73.19 reflects the county's position in the state's fire-prone zone. Flood risk (59.29) and earthquake risk (45.77) present tertiary but significant concerns for long-term planning.

Get hurricane and wind coverage today

Wood County homeowners must secure comprehensive coverage for hurricane and severe wind damage, which drive the county's elevated composite risk. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate replacement cost coverage, and invest in structural reinforcements like roof straps and impact-resistant windows given the dual hurricane and wildfire exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wood County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    66th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    59th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wood County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Wood County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 63th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Wood County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wood County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (59th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), tornado (40th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 73th percentile nationally, Wood County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Wood County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's hurricane exposure at the 66th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Wood County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Wood County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Wood County is 14.2 composite risk points above the Texas average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Wood 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 Wood County, TX?
Wood County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Wood County?
Wood County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (73th percentile), hurricane (66th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), tornado (40th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 73th 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 Wood County risk compare to the Texas average?
Wood County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wood County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Wood County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wood County's wildfire risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wood County is at the 59th 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 Wood County higher risk than average?
Wood County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (73th percentile), along with hurricane and flooding 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.