Briscoe County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Briscoe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.7, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Briscoe County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 8.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 88.12 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $100K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $441K in expected annual loss and about 7.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Briscoe County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Briscoe County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 5 for fire events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Briscoe County ranks #220 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 88.12 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $100K |
| Hail | Low | 7.53 / yr | $441K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.37 / yr | $60K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $202K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.26 / yr | $16K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $96K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.07 / yr | $88K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $9 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.99 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $173K |
| 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
Briscoe County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Severe Ice Storm (3), Hurricane (3).
| 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 |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Briscoe County?
Briscoe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Briscoe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $5M EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $100K EAL), Hail (Low, $441K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Briscoe County compare to other Texas counties?
Briscoe County ranks #220 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Briscoe County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Briscoe County since 1970, most often 5 for fire events and 3 for severe ice 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. Briscoe County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.