Natural Disaster Risk in Howard County
Texas
Risk Summary for Howard County
Howard County scores 6.0/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hail.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Howard County, Texas
Howard 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, Howard County carries an overall risk score of 6.0/10, placing it in the high category. Large hail is the dominant natural hazard, with supercell thunderstorms regularly producing damaging hailstones capable of destroying crops, vehicles, and roofs. The area also faces notable exposure to drought and wildfire.
Within Texas, Howard County's risk is, slightly above the 5.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Howard County identifies hail as the foremost hazard, followed by drought and wildfire. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Howard County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hail 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.
What this means for Howard County: Hail preparedness
- Document roof and property condition annually to streamline any future hail claims.
- Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing can reduce hail damage and may lower insurance premiums.
- Park vehicles under cover when severe storms are forecast to avoid costly hail damage.
Cities in Howard County
ZIP codes in Howard County
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. For informational purposes only.