Out of 86 counties with PHMSA gas distribution data, these are the counties with the highest incident risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 86 |
| Total incidents (top 100) | 286 |
| Total fatalities (top 100) | 32 |
Top 86 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Incidents | Fatalities | Latest Year | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harris | Texas | 38 | 5 | 2025 | 25/100 |
| 2 | Aransas | Texas | 38 | 5 | 2025 | 25/100 |
| 3 | Dallas | Texas | 32 | 4 | 2024 | 24/100 |
| 4 | Tarrant | Texas | 19 | 1 | 2025 | 21/100 |
| 5 | Cooke | Texas | 19 | 1 | 2025 | 21/100 |
| 6 | Travis | Texas | 13 | 2 | 2024 | 13/100 |
| 7 | Denton | Texas | 11 | 2 | 2024 | 26/100 |
| 8 | Collin | Texas | 10 | 2 | 2021 | 16/100 |
| 9 | Nueces | Texas | 9 | 0 | 2014 | 3/100 |
| 10 | Bexar | Texas | 8 | 2 | 2025 | 12/100 |
| 11 | El Paso | Texas | 7 | 0 | 2023 | 4/100 |
| 12 | Williamson | Texas | 6 | 1 | 2019 | 7/100 |
| 13 | Fort Bend | Texas | 6 | 0 | 2024 | 6/100 |
| 14 | Potter | Texas | 4 | 1 | 2024 | 21/100 |
| 15 | Lubbock | Texas | 4 | 0 | 2024 | 3/100 |
| 16 | Galveston | Texas | 3 | 1 | 2019 | 9/100 |
| 17 | Bell | Texas | 2 | 1 | 2023 | 30/100 |
| 18 | Moore | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2018 | 12/100 |
| 19 | Montgomery | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2022 | 6/100 |
| 20 | Grimes | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2022 | 6/100 |
| 21 | Ellis | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2015 | 4/100 |
| 22 | Victoria | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2024 | 3/100 |
| 23 | Taylor | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2025 | 3/100 |
| 24 | Nacogdoches | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2008 | 1/100 |
| 25 | McLennan | Texas | 2 | 0 | 2010 | 1/100 |
| 26 | Johnson | Texas | 1 | 2 | 2007 | 19/100 |
| 27 | Carson | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2015 | 14/100 |
| 28 | Polk | Texas | 1 | 1 | 2006 | 10/100 |
| 29 | Hardin | Texas | 1 | 1 | 2006 | 10/100 |
| 30 | Chambers | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2010 | 9/100 |
| 31 | Gregg | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2023 | 7/100 |
| 32 | Rusk | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2023 | 7/100 |
| 33 | Floyd | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 7/100 |
| 34 | Deaf Smith | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 5/100 |
| 35 | Kaufman | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2016 | 3/100 |
| 36 | Knox | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 3/100 |
| 37 | Jackson | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2015 | 3/100 |
| 38 | Burleson | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 3/100 |
| 39 | Wilson | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2024 | 3/100 |
| 40 | Wichita | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2010 | 2/100 |
| 41 | Washington | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2021 | 2/100 |
| 42 | Brazos | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2023 | 2/100 |
| 43 | Jim Wells | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 2/100 |
| 44 | Hidalgo | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2024 | 2/100 |
| 45 | Sherman | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2016 | 1/100 |
| 46 | Navarro | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2016 | 1/100 |
| 47 | Brazoria | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 1/100 |
| 48 | Lamar | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2008 | 1/100 |
| 49 | Bowie | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 1/100 |
| 50 | Smith | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2022 | 1/100 |
| 51 | Houston | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 52 | Angelina | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 53 | Parker | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 1/100 |
| 54 | Young | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 55 | Wharton | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 56 | Coryell | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 1/100 |
| 57 | Bosque | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 1/100 |
| 58 | Matagorda | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2015 | 1/100 |
| 59 | Orange | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2017 | 1/100 |
| 60 | Guadalupe | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2022 | 1/100 |
| 61 | Bastrop | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2007 | 1/100 |
| 62 | Midland | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2015 | 1/100 |
| 63 | Ward | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 64 | Pecos | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 1/100 |
| 65 | Ector | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 1/100 |
| 66 | Jefferson | Texas | 1 | 0 | 2007 | 0/100 |
| 67 | Austin | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 25/100 |
| 68 | Anderson | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 13/100 |
| 69 | Tyler | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 10/100 |
| 70 | Leon | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 9/100 |
| 71 | Hays | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 7/100 |
| 72 | Calhoun | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 6/100 |
| 73 | Randall | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 5/100 |
| 74 | Refugio | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 3/100 |
| 75 | Gonzales | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 3/100 |
| 76 | Live Oak | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 3/100 |
| 77 | San Patricio | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 3/100 |
| 78 | Archer | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 2/100 |
| 79 | Grayson | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 80 | Hood | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 81 | Hill | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 82 | Liberty | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 83 | Bandera | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 84 | Medina | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 85 | Caldwell | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 86 | Crane | Texas | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
Methodology
County rankings for Texas based on total PHMSA gas distribution incidents reported since 2004.
Data source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Gas Distribution System Incident Reports 2004-2026. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas distribution incident?
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — leaks, ruptures, explosions, and equipment failures that can cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities. PHMSA requires all operators to report significant incidents.
How can I protect my home?
Install CO detectors on every level (CPSC recommendation). Have gas appliances inspected annually. Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near pipelines. If you suspect a leak, leave immediately and call 911.