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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Delaware County, Oklahoma
Delaware County faces elevated national disaster risk
Delaware County's composite risk score of 82.67 and "Relatively Moderate" rating place it substantially above the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your county experiences significantly more combined hazard threat than most U.S. counties. This elevated position reflects serious vulnerabilities across multiple disaster types that demand comprehensive preparedness.
Among Oklahoma's most hazardous counties
Delaware County's 82.67 composite score ranks it among the highest-risk counties in Oklahoma, far exceeding the state average of 55.47. Only Creek County (83.24) and Garfield County (82.09) present comparable or slightly higher overall risk. Delaware County sits in Oklahoma's tier of most-hazardous counties.
Highest-risk county in this region
Delaware County's 82.67 score significantly exceeds Craig County (55.50), Custer County (62.02), and Garfield County (82.09)—making it the most hazard-prone area in its immediate region. Only Creek County to the west approaches Delaware's risk level. This concentration of multiple hazards makes Delaware a standout example of Oklahoma's most vulnerable counties.
Floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes all major threats
Delaware County faces a rare convergence of multiple major hazards: flood risk (86.45), tornado risk (86.96), and wildfire risk (90.81) all exceed 85. Earthquake risk (60.46) and hurricane risk (44.64) compound the vulnerability. This four-hazard profile makes Delaware County one of the most multi-threat counties in Oklahoma.
Comprehensive coverage is not optional here
Delaware County residents need standard homeowners insurance, plus separate policies for flood and wildfire damage—a three-layer protection strategy essential for this high-risk county. Consider reinforcing your home's tornado resistance, maintaining flood-zone awareness, and clearing defensible space against wildfire. Meeting with a local insurance agent to review your complete coverage is the most important step you can take.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Delaware County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Delaware County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 83th percentile, Delaware County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Delaware County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Delaware County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (86th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 91th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Delaware County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 87th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Delaware County residents.
Regional Context
At 27.2 points above the Oklahoma state average, Delaware County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Oklahoma county.
Is your household prepared for Delaware County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Delaware County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Delaware County?
How does Delaware County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Delaware County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Delaware 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.