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

Garvin County Disaster Risk

Garvin County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

55th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Garvin County, Oklahoma

Garvin ranks below the national average

With a composite risk score of 61.70, Garvin County sits in the relatively low risk category—notably safer than the typical U.S. county. However, this score masks significant variation in hazard types, with wildfire and tornado risks both exceeding 85, indicating real threats worth monitoring.

Middle of the pack for Oklahoma

Garvin's score of 61.70 sits above the state average of 55.47, putting it in the upper half of Oklahoma counties. This positioning reflects the state's overall exposure to tornadoes and wildfires, which pose outsized risks across most of Oklahoma.

Riskier than nearby Grant County

Garvin faces significantly higher hazard exposure than its western neighbor Grant County (27.77 score), primarily due to elevated wildfire and tornado risks. Compared to Grady County to the west (75.73), Garvin remains the safer option, though both counties face substantial weather-related threats.

Wildfire and tornado exposure here

Garvin's wildfire risk of 87.21 and tornado risk of 85.08 represent the county's primary natural disaster threats. Flood risk (54.90) and earthquake risk (57.57) pose secondary but manageable concerns for residents and property owners.

Secure coverage for wind and fire

Given Garvin's high tornado and wildfire exposure, homeowners should verify their wind and fire coverage is comprehensive and current. Review your policy limits annually, maintain defensible space around structures, and ensure you're enrolled in early warning systems for severe weather.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Garvin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Garvin County

Risk Verdict

Garvin County ranks at the 62th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Garvin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), flood (55th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Garvin County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Garvin County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally means Garvin County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Garvin County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

Compared to other Oklahoma counties, Garvin County runs 6.2 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Garvin 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 Garvin County, OK?
Garvin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Garvin County?
Garvin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (87th percentile), tornado (85th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), flooding (55th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 87th 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 Garvin County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Garvin County's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Garvin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Garvin County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Garvin County's wildfire risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Garvin County is at the 55th 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 Garvin County higher risk than average?
Garvin County's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (87th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.