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

Choctaw County Disaster Risk

Choctaw County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

50th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Choctaw County, Oklahoma

Choctaw County ranks below national average

With a composite risk score of 49.90, Choctaw County sits in the relatively low category and performs better than many U.S. counties for overall natural disaster exposure. This lower score reflects reduced vulnerability compared to the national median.

Among Oklahoma's safest counties

Choctaw County ranks well below the state average of 55.47 and falls in the lower-risk tier of Oklahoma's 77 counties. This positions it as one of the state's more protected areas from natural hazards.

One of the region's safer options

Choctaw County's score of 49.90 is notably lower than Canadian County (83.49), Cherokee County (76.91), and Comanche County (86.23). The county is considerably less vulnerable than most of its regional peers in southern Oklahoma.

Tornadoes pose the primary threat

Tornado risk reaches 80.63 in Choctaw County, making it the dominant natural hazard despite the county's overall lower risk profile. Wildfire risk at 65.14 and hurricane risk at 43.72 present secondary concerns.

Focus on tornado preparedness foremost

Ensure your homeowner's policy covers tornado damage and identify a safe shelter or reinforced room in your home for severe weather events. While Choctaw County faces lower overall risk, tornado season preparation remains essential.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Choctaw County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    46th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Choctaw County

Risk Verdict

Choctaw County's FEMA risk score places it at the 50th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. Residents of Choctaw County can use the 50th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Choctaw County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (46th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), flood (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 81th percentile nationally makes Choctaw County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 65th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Choctaw County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Choctaw County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

At 5.6 points below the Oklahoma state average, Choctaw County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Choctaw 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 Choctaw County, OK?
Choctaw County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 50th 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 Choctaw County?
Choctaw County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (81th percentile), wildfire (65th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), flooding (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 81th 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 Choctaw County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Choctaw County's composite risk percentile is 50th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Choctaw County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Choctaw County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Choctaw County's tornado risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Choctaw County is at the 27th 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 Choctaw County a safe place to live?
Choctaw County's composite risk score of 50th 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 tornado at the 81th 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.