Archer County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Archer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.7, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Archer County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 7.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $635K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $527K in expected annual loss and about 93.93 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $242K in expected annual loss and about 8.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Archer County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Archer County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 6 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Archer County ranks #222 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $635K |
| Drought | Medium | 93.93 / yr | $527K |
| Hail | Low | 8.05 / yr | $242K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.68 / yr | $237K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.86 / yr | $41K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.66 / yr | $545K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $334 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.89 / yr | $288K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $189K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.53 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.49 / yr | $12K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Archer County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (6), Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2011 | Fire | Sisk Road Fire |
| September 2008 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Archer County?
Archer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Archer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $635K EAL), Drought (Medium, $527K EAL), Hail (Low, $242K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Archer County compare to other Texas counties?
Archer County ranks #222 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Archer County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Archer County since 1989, most often 6 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 2021.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Archer County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.