riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Delaware County Disaster Risk

Delaware County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

86th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Delaware County

Risk Verdict

Delaware County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Delaware County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 87th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (86th), earthquake (60th), hurricane (45th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Delaware County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Delaware County is significantly riskier than the average county in Oklahoma. Its composite risk score is 27.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Delaware County, OK?
Delaware 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 Delaware County?
Delaware County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), tornado (87th percentile), flooding (86th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Delaware County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Delaware 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 Delaware County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Delaware County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Delaware County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Delaware County is at the 86th 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 Delaware County higher risk than average?
Delaware County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (91th percentile), along with tornado 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Le Flore County

Oklahoma

+0.0

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Pottawatomie County

Oklahoma

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Creek County

Oklahoma

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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