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

Cimarron County Disaster Risk

Cimarron County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cimarron County, Oklahoma

Cimarron County ranks among safest nationally

Cimarron County's composite risk score of 47.33 places it in the relatively low category and below the U.S. average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk profile reflects significantly lower hazard exposure compared to most American counties.

Oklahoma's lowest-risk county area

Cimarron County ranks among the safest counties in Oklahoma with a score of 47.33, well below the state average of 55.47. This represents one of the state's most protected regions from natural hazards.

Safest county in its region

Cimarron County's score of 47.33 is substantially lower than every neighboring county, including Canadian (83.49) and Cherokee (76.91). The Panhandle location creates a distinctly safer hazard environment than the rest of Oklahoma.

Wildfires dominate limited threats

Wildfire risk reaches 72.46 in Cimarron County, making it the primary natural hazard concern by far. Flood risk drops to just 2.93, and tornado risk to 18.13, reflecting the county's exceptional protection from most weather-related disasters.

Standard coverage provides adequate protection

A standard homeowner's policy with wildfire coverage provides solid protection for Cimarron County residents given the low overall risk profile. Review your policy's wildfire exclusions and maintain defensible space if you're in a fire-prone area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cimarron County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    20th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    18th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Cimarron County

Risk Verdict

Cimarron County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 47th percentile across all U.S. counties. A 47th percentile score positions Cimarron County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Cimarron County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (18th percentile), flood (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 72th percentile nationally for wildfire, Cimarron County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 20th percentile nationally means Cimarron County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Cimarron County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Cimarron County is 8.1 composite risk points below the Oklahoma state mean, meaning most other Oklahoma counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Cimarron 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 Cimarron County, OK?
Cimarron County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Cimarron County?
Cimarron County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), tornado (18th percentile), flooding (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 72th 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 Cimarron County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Cimarron County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cimarron County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Cimarron County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Cimarron County's wildfire risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cimarron County is at the 3th 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 Cimarron County a safe place to live?
Cimarron County's composite risk score of 47th 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 wildfire at the 72th 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.