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

Bryan County Disaster Risk

Bryan County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

75th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

54th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bryan County, Oklahoma

Bryan ranks notably above national risk baseline

Bryan County scores 74.55 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the typical U.S. county's exposure. This elevated score reflects substantial tornado and wildfire threats that dominate the hazard profile.

Among Oklahoma's higher-risk counties

At 74.55 versus Oklahoma's 55.47 average, Bryan ranks in the upper tier of state risk, making it one of Oklahoma's more hazardous counties. The county faces particularly acute tornado exposure relative to its peers.

Bryan faces the region's most elevated risk

Bryan's 74.55 score significantly exceeds safer neighbors like Beaver (37.82) and Alfalfa (40.65), positioning it as the riskiest county in this regional analysis. Its tornado risk of 94.75 is the highest profiled.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate Bryan's threats

Tornado risk at 94.75 is exceptionally severe—Bryan faces some of Oklahoma's greatest tornado exposure, requiring serious storm preparedness. Wildfire risk of 87.53 compounds the threat, creating a dual hazard environment that impacts most of the county.

Invest in tornado shelter and comprehensive coverage

Bryan County residents must prioritize homeowner's insurance that covers both tornado and wildfire damage, as both hazards pose substantial threats to properties. Build or designate a reinforced safe room capable of withstanding violent tornadoes, and create defensible space by clearing brush and dead trees 30-50 feet from structures; clear roofs and gutters of debris regularly.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bryan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    64th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bryan County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 75th, Bryan County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Bryan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (64th percentile), flood (54th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 95th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Bryan County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Bryan County at the 88th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. For Bryan County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

At 19.1 points above the Oklahoma state average, Bryan County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Oklahoma county.

Is your household prepared for Bryan 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 Bryan County, OK?
Bryan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 75th 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 Bryan County?
Bryan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), wildfire (88th percentile), earthquake (64th percentile), flooding (54th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Bryan County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Bryan County's composite risk percentile is 75th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bryan County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Bryan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Bryan County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bryan County is at the 54th 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.
Why is Bryan County higher risk than average?
Bryan County's composite risk score of 75th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.