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

Greer County Disaster Risk

Greer County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

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 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greer County, Oklahoma

Greer among the nation's safest

With a composite risk score of just 17.08, Greer County ranks in the very low category and sits far below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Only wildfire risk (68.29) climbs to moderate levels; all other hazards present minimal threat to residents.

Second-safest county in Oklahoma

Greer's 17.08 score sits dramatically below the state average of 55.47, placing it as one of Oklahoma's lowest-risk counties. This exceptional safety profile reflects the panhandle's distance from major tornado and earthquake zones.

Greer safest in its region

Greer's 17.08 score is safer than Garvin (61.70) to the east and nearly matches neighboring Harmon County (10.21) to the north. The southwestern panhandle emerges as Oklahoma's most secure region for natural disaster exposure.

Wildfire only meaningful hazard

Greer's wildfire risk of 68.29 is its sole notable exposure; tornado risk (52.96), earthquake (26.81), flood (5.95), and hurricane (14.77) all remain minimal. The county's aridity and sparse vegetation actually moderate some wildfire potential despite the regional score.

Basic insurance is typically adequate

Greer's exceptionally low risk profile means standard homeowners coverage provides sufficient protection for most residents. Focus preparedness on routine maintenance and basic wildfire mitigation rather than extensive protective upgrades.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greer County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    27th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Greer County

Risk Verdict

Greer County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 17th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Greer County's favorable 17th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Greer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 68th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Greer 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 53th percentile nationally means Greer County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Greer County residents.

Regional Context

Greer County falls 38.4 points below Oklahoma's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Greer 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 Greer County, OK?
Greer County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Greer County?
Greer County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (68th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 68th 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 Greer County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Greer County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greer County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Greer County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Greer County's wildfire risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Greer County is at the 6th 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 Greer County a safe place to live?
Greer County's composite risk score of 17th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dewey County

Oklahoma

-1.4

Very Low

16th percentile

Tillman County

Oklahoma

-3.7

Very Low

13th percentile

Jefferson County

Oklahoma

+3.8

Very Low

21th 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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