Beckham County Disaster Risk
Beckham County, Oklahoma
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
58th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#38
of 77 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
32th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Beckham County, Oklahoma
Beckham exceeds national risk baseline noticeably
Beckham County's composite risk score of 57.82 positions it in the "Relatively Low" category but distinctly above typical U.S. county exposure. This elevated score reflects significant tornado and wildfire risks that drive the overall hazard picture.
Slightly above Oklahoma's average risk
Beckham's 57.82 score edges above Oklahoma's 55.47 average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk. The county faces greater tornado exposure than most of its state peers.
Beckham faces elevated regional risk
At 57.82, Beckham scores higher than safer neighbors like Beaver (37.82) but lower than Bryan County (74.55). Its tornado risk of 86.74 stands out as particularly severe within the regional context.
Tornadoes and wildfires threaten Beckham
Tornado risk at 86.74 is exceptionally high, making Beckham one of Oklahoma's tornado-prone counties—residents face significant seasonal storm danger. Wildfire risk of 90.71 compounds the threat, creating a dual hazard environment.
Prioritize tornado shelter and wildfire coverage
Beckham residents must ensure homeowner's insurance covers tornado damage and include wildfire protection, as both hazards pose substantial threats. Invest in a reinforced shelter or safe room designed to withstand tornado winds, and maintain defensible space around your property by clearing vegetation within 30-50 feet of structures.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Beckham County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Beckham County
Risk Verdict
Beckham County's FEMA risk score places it at the 58th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Beckham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (42th percentile), flood (32th percentile), hurricane (20th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Beckham County sits at the 91th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Beckham County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's tornado exposure at the 87th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Beckham County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
Beckham County sits within 2.3 composite points of the Oklahoma state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for Beckham County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Beckham County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Beckham County?
How does Beckham County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Beckham County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Beckham County higher risk than average?
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.