Natural Disaster Risk in Hartley County

Natural Hazard Profile: Hartley County, Texas

Hartley County, in the United States in Texas, is characterized by its diverse climate — an exceptionally varied climate from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west. The county faces overlapping tornado, hurricane, flood, and drought seasons, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Hartley County carries an overall risk score of 5.2/10, placing it in the moderate category. Drought is the leading natural hazard, with multi-year dry periods capable of depleting water supplies, devastating agriculture, and increasing wildfire risk across the region. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and wildfire.

Within Texas, Hartley County's risk is, near the 5.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Hartley County identifies drought as the foremost hazard, followed by cold wave and wildfire. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

Hartley County's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that drought exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.