Hughes County Disaster Risk
Hughes County, Oklahoma
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
34th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#58
of 77 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
18th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hughes County, Oklahoma
Hughes sits below national average
Hughes County's composite risk score of 34.03 places it in the very low category, meaningfully safer than the national average. Wildfire risk of 89.69 and tornado risk of 64.28 represent notable exposures, but overall vulnerability remains modest.
Hughes safer than state average
At 34.03, Hughes ranks below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it among the state's lower-risk counties. The central location and distance from panhandle wildfire zones contribute to this favorable profile.
Hughes mid-tier for region
Hughes's 34.03 score sits between Grant County (27.77) to the west and Haskell County (30.50) to the south, representing typical east-central Oklahoma risk. All three counties sit substantially below state average.
Wildfire and tornado are dual threats
Hughes faces notable wildfire risk (89.69) and moderate tornado exposure (64.28), making wind and fire the county's primary hazards. Earthquake (36.39), flood (17.53), and hurricane (37.92) risks remain secondary concerns.
Balance wildfire and wind coverage
Hughes residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers both wind damage and wildfire exposure, given the county's dual threats. Maintain defensible space around structures and review coverage limits annually to reflect property value.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hughes County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hughes County
Risk Verdict
At the 34th percentile nationally, Hughes County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Hughes County can use the 34th 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 Hughes County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (38th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), flood (18th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hughes County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Hughes County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 64th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Hughes 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
A composite score 21.4 points below the Oklahoma state average puts Hughes County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Hughes County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hughes County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Hughes County?
How does Hughes County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Hughes County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Hughes 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.