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

Beaver County Disaster Risk

Beaver County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Beaver County, Oklahoma

Beaver ranks among lowest-risk U.S. counties

Beaver County scores 37.82 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Very Low" category and well below national averages. This favorable score reflects particularly low exposure to flooding, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

One of Oklahoma's safest counties

At 37.82 versus Oklahoma's 55.47 average, Beaver ranks significantly below state baseline, positioning it among the state's lowest-risk counties. This advantage holds across flood, earthquake, and hurricane categories.

Beaver rivals region's safest counties

Beaver's 37.82 score closely matches Alfalfa County (40.65) and slightly exceeds Atoka (30.41), placing it among the region's safest areas. The county's low exposure cuts across nearly all major hazard types.

Wildfire dominates Beaver's natural hazards

Wildfire risk at 85.69 is Beaver's clear concern, despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk of 34.96 remains well below state average, indicating minimal storm threat.

Focus wildfire insurance and mitigation efforts

Beaver residents should prioritize homeowner's insurance with strong wildfire coverage given the county's elevated exposure to this single hazard. Invest in defensible space around structures by clearing brush and dead vegetation within 30 feet, and maintain a 100-foot perimeter of thinned trees.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Beaver County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    20th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Beaver County

Risk Verdict

At the 38th percentile nationally, Beaver County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 38th percentile nationally is an advantage for Beaver County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Beaver County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (20th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Beaver County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Beaver County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary tornado exposure at the 35th percentile nationally means Beaver County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Beaver County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 17.7 points below the Oklahoma state average puts Beaver County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Beaver 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 Beaver County, OK?
Beaver County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Beaver County?
Beaver County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (86th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 86th 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 Beaver County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Beaver County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Beaver County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Beaver County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Beaver County's wildfire risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Beaver County is at the 5th 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 Beaver County a safe place to live?
Beaver County's composite risk score of 38th 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 86th 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.