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

Canadian County Disaster Risk

Canadian County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

76th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% 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 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Canadian County, Oklahoma

Canadian County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 83.49, Canadian County ranks in the relatively moderate category—well above Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This places the county in a higher-risk bracket compared to most U.S. counties, meaning residents face a meaningful combination of natural hazards.

Third-highest risk in Oklahoma

Canadian County is among Oklahoma's most at-risk counties, ranking near the top of the state's 77 counties for overall natural disaster vulnerability. Only a handful of Oklahoma counties exceed this risk profile, making preparedness particularly important for local residents.

Riskier than most regional peers

Canadian County's score of 83.49 significantly exceeds nearby counties like Choctaw (49.90) and Cimarron (47.33), but trails Cleveland County (91.28). This variation reflects Canadian's position as a moderate-to-high-risk area within its regional cluster.

Tornadoes and wildfires top threats

Tornado risk dominates Canadian County at 95.04, making it among the state's most tornado-prone areas, while wildfire risk reaches 83.91. Flooding also poses a significant threat at 75.73, with the combination of these three hazards creating year-round exposure.

Comprehensive coverage protects your assets

Standard homeowner's insurance covers tornado and wildfire damage, but review your policy limits given Canadian County's extreme tornado exposure. Consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if your home is in a flood-prone area or near a waterway.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Canadian County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    76th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Canadian County

Risk Verdict

Canadian County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 83th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Canadian County.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Canadian County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (76th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Canadian County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 95th percentile nationally. In Canadian County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 84th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Canadian County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Canadian County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Canadian County households.

Regional Context

Canadian County falls 28.0 points above Oklahoma's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Canadian 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 Canadian County, OK?
Canadian County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Canadian County?
Canadian County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), wildfire (84th percentile), flooding (76th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (30th 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 Canadian County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Canadian County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Canadian County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Canadian County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Canadian County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Canadian County is at the 76th 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 Canadian County higher risk than average?
Canadian County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and earthquake 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.