Natural Disaster Risk in Cooke County

Natural Hazard Profile: Cooke County, Texas

Cooke County is located in the United States in Texas, home to roughly 41,622 residents. The county experiences an exceptionally varied climate from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west, with overlapping tornado, hurricane, flood, and drought seasons shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Cooke County's composite natural disaster risk at 6.7 out of 10 — high risk. The area faces significant drought exposure, where below-average precipitation over extended periods strains water resources and drives secondary hazards like wildfire and crop failure. Residents should also account for hail and tornado risk in their preparedness planning.

Cooke County's risk score, slightly above the 5.6/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Cooke County, the highest-scoring are drought, hail, and tornado. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Cooke County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for drought and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.