Custer County Disaster Risk
Custer County, Oklahoma
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
62th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 77 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
39th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Custer County, Oklahoma
Custer County's risk exceeds U.S. average
Custer County's composite risk score of 62.02 and "Relatively Low" rating place it moderately above the national average for natural disaster exposure. While your county faces elevated threats compared to the typical American county, the "Relatively Low" designation indicates manageable risk for most residents. The county presents above-average but not extreme disaster vulnerability.
Above-average risk within Oklahoma
Custer County's 62.02 composite score runs above Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 77 counties. You face more hazard exposure than most Oklahomans but less than the state's highest-risk counties. This moderate elevation reflects significant but not extreme vulnerability within the Oklahoma context.
Higher risk than Craig and Cotton, lower than Creek
Custer County (62.02) exceeds the risk profiles of nearby Craig County (55.50) and Cotton County (4.90), but falls below Creek County (83.24) and Delaware County (82.67). Among this regional cluster, Custer occupies a middle-upper position. The variation across neighboring counties highlights Custer's moderate-to-elevated standing within the area.
Tornadoes and wildfires are primary threats
Tornado risk (91.32) dominates Custer County's hazard profile, followed by wildfire risk (76.81)—both substantially elevated threats. Earthquake risk (53.24) and hurricane risk (23.86) are secondary concerns, while flood risk (38.71) remains the lowest exposure. The tornado-wildfire combination accounts for most of Custer's above-average composite score.
Tornado and wildfire coverage essential here
Custer County homeowners should prioritize standard insurance coverage for tornado damage and secure separate wildfire protection for their properties. Developing a family tornado safety plan—including a designated shelter area and communication strategy—can save lives during severe weather. Many insurers offer discounts for storm-resistant roof upgrades, making protection upgrades financially sensible.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Custer County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Custer County
Risk Verdict
Custer County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 62th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Custer County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Custer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (53th percentile), flood (39th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 91th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Custer County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Custer County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 77th percentile nationally means Custer County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Custer County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 6.5 points above the Oklahoma state average puts Custer County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Custer County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Custer County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Custer County?
How does Custer County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Custer County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Custer County higher risk than average?
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.