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

Grady County Disaster Risk

Grady County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#22

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grady County, Oklahoma

Grady exceeds national average risk

Grady County's composite risk score of 75.73 places it firmly in the relatively low category but notably above the national average. The county's tornado risk of 93.83 and wildfire risk of 91.54 reflect Oklahoma's outsized exposure to these hazards compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Oklahoma's higher-risk counties

At 75.73, Grady's score substantially exceeds the state average of 55.47, ranking it in the upper tier of Oklahoma counties. Tornado exposure is particularly acute here—93.83 rivals some of the state's most tornado-prone areas.

Grady faces elevated risk vs peers

Grady's 75.73 score significantly exceeds nearby Garvin County (61.70) to the east and Washita County neighbors, reflecting higher tornado and wildfire concentrations. Only western panhandle counties with extreme wildfire exposure rival Grady's composite risk.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate

Grady County faces the state's most severe tornado risk at 93.83, paired with a wildfire risk of 91.54—a one-two punch of wind and fire hazards. Flood risk (62.69) and earthquake exposure (66.41) add secondary layers of vulnerability.

Prioritize tornado and fire protection

Homeowners in Grady should maintain robust wind and fire insurance coverage given the county's exceptional tornado and wildfire risks. Build or reinforce a safe room, clear vegetation from your property, and stay subscribed to county emergency alerts during severe weather season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grady County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    66th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grady County

Risk Verdict

Grady County's FEMA risk score places it at the 76th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Grady County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grady County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (66th percentile), flood (63th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 94th percentile nationally makes Grady County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 92th percentile nationally means Grady County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Grady County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Oklahoma county average is 20.3 composite points below Grady County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Grady 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 Grady County, OK?
Grady County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Grady County?
Grady County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), wildfire (92th percentile), earthquake (66th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Grady County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Grady County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grady County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Grady County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grady County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Grady County is at the 63th 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 Grady County higher risk than average?
Grady County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (94th percentile), along with wildfire 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.