riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Alfalfa County Disaster Risk

Alfalfa County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma

Alfalfa ranks well below national risk baseline

Alfalfa County's composite risk score of 40.65 places it in the "Very Low" category, substantially safer than the typical U.S. county. This low score reflects manageable exposure across most natural hazard types.

Among Oklahoma's safest counties

With a score of 40.65 versus Oklahoma's 55.47 average, Alfalfa ranks well below state baseline, making it one of the lowest-risk counties in Oklahoma. This favorable positioning applies across flood, earthquake, and hurricane hazards.

Alfalfa is one of the safest in its region

Alfalfa's 40.65 score compares favorably to nearby Beaver County (37.82) and significantly outperforms higher-risk neighbors like Adair County (53.82). The county's relative safety applies consistently across most natural disaster categories.

Wildfire is Alfalfa's primary natural hazard

Wildfire risk at 60.94 is Alfalfa's most significant exposure, though it remains below state averages for this hazard. Tornado risk of 44.66 ranks moderate, warranting basic storm preparedness but not extraordinary precautions.

Maintain basic disaster insurance and preparedness

Standard homeowner's insurance with wildfire and tornado coverage provides adequate protection for Alfalfa residents given the county's low overall risk profile. Focus on practical steps like clearing dead vegetation around your property and having a family emergency plan in place.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Alfalfa County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    61th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    25th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Alfalfa County

Risk Verdict

Alfalfa County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 41th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Alfalfa County can use the 41th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Alfalfa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (25th percentile), flood (22th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Alfalfa County's primary hazard at the 61th percentile nationally. For Alfalfa County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's tornado exposure at the 45th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Alfalfa County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Oklahoma county average, Alfalfa County's composite score runs 14.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Alfalfa County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Alfalfa County, OK?
Alfalfa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Alfalfa County?
Alfalfa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (61th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile), flooding (22th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 61th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Alfalfa County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Alfalfa County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Alfalfa County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Alfalfa County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Alfalfa County's wildfire risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Alfalfa County is at the 22th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Alfalfa County a safe place to live?
Alfalfa County's composite risk score of 41th percentile is below the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 61th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.