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

Carter County Disaster Risk

Carter County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

75th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carter County, Oklahoma

Carter County holds moderate national standing

Carter County's composite risk score of 74.87 places it in the relatively low category, but still substantially above the national median. This means while the county faces genuine disaster risk, it ranks better than many U.S. counties for overall hazard exposure.

Middle-of-the-pack risk within Oklahoma

Carter County ranks in the middle tier of Oklahoma's 77 counties for natural disaster risk, with a score notably higher than the state average of 55.47. This reflects a moderate exposure level compared to other parts of the state.

Less vulnerable than nearby counties

Carter County's 74.87 score is notably lower than Canadian County (83.49) and Comanche County (86.23), though higher than Choctaw (49.90). This positions Carter as a moderate-risk area within its southwestern Oklahoma region.

Tornadoes and wildfires demand attention

Tornado risk in Carter County reaches 94.02, placing it among Oklahoma's most tornado-exposed counties, while wildfire risk scores 88.42. These two hazards substantially outweigh other risks and should drive preparedness priorities for residents.

Prioritize tornado and fire protection

Ensure your homeowner's policy explicitly covers both tornado and wildfire damage, and review coverage limits given Carter County's extreme tornado exposure. A safe room or reinforced shelter can provide crucial protection during severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carter County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Carter County

Risk Verdict

Carter County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Carter County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Carter County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (65th percentile), flood (63th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Carter County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 94th percentile nationally. For Carter County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Carter County at the 88th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Carter County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

Carter County's composite risk score sits 19.4 points above the Oklahoma county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Carter 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 Carter County, OK?
Carter 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 Carter County?
Carter County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), wildfire (88th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Carter County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Carter 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 Carter County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Carter County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Carter County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Carter County is at the 63th 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 Carter County higher risk than average?
Carter 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 (94th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Logan County

Oklahoma

-0.2

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Okmulgee County

Oklahoma

-0.3

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Bryan County

Oklahoma

-0.3

Relatively Low

75th percentile

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.

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