Dewey County Disaster Risk
Dewey County, Oklahoma
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
16th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#74
of 77 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
6th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Dewey County, Oklahoma
Dewey County's risk ranks far below national average
Dewey County's composite risk score of 15.65 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your county experiences substantially less combined hazard threat than the typical U.S. county. This exceptional low score reflects relative resilience across most disaster types.
Among Oklahoma's safest counties
Dewey County's 15.65 composite score ranks it among the safest counties in Oklahoma, dramatically below the state average of 55.47. Only Cotton County (4.90) and Ellis County (24.78) achieve comparable low-risk status. Dewey County occupies Oklahoma's tier of most-protected counties.
Significantly safer than regional averages
Dewey County's 15.65 score stands far below Custer County (62.02), Garfield County (82.09), and Beaver County (if applicable), making it an exceptional refuge of low risk in this region. Among western Oklahoma counties, Dewey consistently ranks among the safest. This geographic advantage reflects Dewey's protection from the hazards that threaten surrounding areas.
Wildfire is the primary concern; others minimal
Wildfire risk (73.57) is Dewey County's only substantially elevated hazard, though still moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk (39.12), earthquake risk (23.28), hurricane risk (11.93), and flood risk (5.66) all present minimal concerns. Wildfire represents the lone area requiring heightened preparedness attention.
Prioritize wildfire protection; basic coverage sufficient
Dewey County homeowners should ensure their standard insurance covers basic perils and consider adding wildfire coverage to address your county's primary hazard. Clearing brush and maintaining defensible space around your property provides cost-effective wildfire protection. Most residents find that standard homeowners insurance, combined with basic wildfire precautions, provides sufficient protection for Dewey County's risk profile.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Dewey County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Dewey County
Risk Verdict
Dewey County's overall natural disaster score at the 16th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of Dewey County can use the 16th 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
Wildfire risk is Dewey County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 39th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (23th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), flood (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 74th percentile nationally, Dewey County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Dewey County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 39th percentile nationally means Dewey County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Dewey County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Dewey County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Dewey County's composite risk score sits 39.8 points below the Oklahoma county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.
Is your household prepared for Dewey County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Dewey County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Dewey County?
How does Dewey County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Dewey County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Dewey County a safe place to live?
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.