Lipscomb County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Lipscomb County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.9, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lipscomb County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 — $6M in expected annual loss and about 88.83 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $631K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $105K in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lipscomb County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Lipscomb County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1998, including 3 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, Lipscomb County ranks #175 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 88.83 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $631K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.50 / yr | $105K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.37 / yr | $53K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $489K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.23 / yr | $291K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.71 / yr | $477K |
| Hail | Very Low | 7.63 / yr | $103K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.66 / yr | $32K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $14K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $613K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Lipscomb County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1998, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (3), 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 |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 1999 | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazards |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lipscomb County?
Lipscomb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lipscomb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $6M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $631K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $105K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lipscomb County compare to other Texas counties?
Lipscomb County ranks #175 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lipscomb County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Lipscomb County since 1998, most often 3 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. Lipscomb County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.