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

Ellis County Disaster Risk

Ellis County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#69

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% 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 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ellis County, Oklahoma

Ellis County's risk ranks far below national average

Ellis County's composite risk score of 24.78 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your county faces substantially less combined hazard threat than the typical U.S. county. This low score reflects relative safety across most major disaster types.

Among Oklahoma's safest counties

Ellis County's 24.78 composite score ranks it among the lowest-risk counties in Oklahoma, falling well below the state average of 55.47. Only Cotton County (4.90) and Dewey County (15.65) achieve lower risk ratings within the state. Ellis County sits in Oklahoma's safest tier.

Notably safer than surrounding region

Ellis County's 24.78 score significantly undercuts Custer County (62.02), Garfield County (82.09), and other nearby counties that face substantially higher composite risks. Among its immediate region, Ellis stands out as a relative refuge of disaster safety. This geographic distinction highlights Ellis County's relative protection.

Wildfire is the main concern; others are minor

Wildfire risk (85.18) is Ellis County's only substantially elevated hazard, though tornado risk (38.17) and hurricane risk (24.99) remain secondary. Earthquake risk (22.61) and flood risk (7.00) pose minimal threats. Wildfire represents Ellis County's primary preparedness priority.

Add wildfire coverage; standard insurance usually adequate

Ellis County homeowners should confirm their standard insurance is current and consider supplementing it with wildfire coverage for your county's primary hazard. Trimming trees, clearing dead vegetation, and maintaining defensible space around your home provide practical, low-cost wildfire protection. Most residents will find that basic preparation combined with adequate insurance provides solid protection for Ellis County's relatively low-risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ellis County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    38th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ellis County

Risk Verdict

Ellis County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 25th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 25th percentile score positions Ellis 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 Ellis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (25th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), flood (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Ellis County's primary hazard at the 85th percentile nationally. For Ellis County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's tornado exposure at the 38th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Ellis County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Oklahoma county average, Ellis County's composite score runs 30.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Ellis 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 Ellis County, OK?
Ellis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 Ellis County?
Ellis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), flooding (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Ellis County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Ellis County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ellis County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Ellis County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Ellis County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ellis County is at the 7th 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 Ellis County a safe place to live?
Ellis County's composite risk score of 25th 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 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Johnston County

Oklahoma

+0.6

Very Low

25th percentile

Roger Mills County

Oklahoma

-1.6

Very Low

23th percentile

Grant County

Oklahoma

+3.0

Very Low

28th percentile

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.

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