Childress County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Childress County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.6, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Childress County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 19.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th 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.
Most of Childress County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 123.44 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.95 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $608K in expected annual loss and about 7.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Childress 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: Childress County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 5 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Childress County ranks #195 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 123.44 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.95 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 7.16 / yr | $608K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $104K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $92K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.74 / yr | $55K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $475K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $149 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.58 / yr | $69K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $229K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.97 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $537K |
| 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
Childress County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Hurricane (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| 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 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Childress County?
Childress County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Childress County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $608K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Childress County compare to other Texas counties?
Childress County ranks #195 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Childress County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Childress County since 1996, most often 5 for fire events and 3 for hurricane 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. Childress County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.