Swisher County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Swisher County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.4, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Swisher County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 37.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 7.49 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 87.02 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $769K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Swisher County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Swisher County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 4 for fire events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, Swisher County ranks #153 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.49 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | High | 87.02 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $769K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.24 / yr | $880K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.47 / yr | $118K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.83 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $591K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $76K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $23K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.96 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / 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
Swisher County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Severe 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 |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Swisher County?
Swisher County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Swisher County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $2M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $769K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Swisher County compare to other Texas counties?
Swisher County ranks #153 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Swisher County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Swisher County since 1970, most often 4 for fire events and 3 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. Swisher County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.