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

Johnston County Disaster Risk

Johnston County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#68

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Johnston County, Oklahoma

Johnston County enjoys very low risk

Johnston County's composite risk score of 25.38 ranks as very low—significantly below the national average and well under Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This low-risk profile reflects moderate exposure across multiple natural hazard categories.

Well below Oklahoma's average risk

At 25.38, Johnston County ranks among the safer counties statewide, with a score less than half the state average of 55.47. The county benefits from a relatively favorable natural disaster risk position within Oklahoma.

Similar risk to neighboring counties

Johnston County's score of 25.38 is comparable to nearby Jefferson County (20.90) and substantially lower than Jackson County (86.04) to the north. The county sits in one of Oklahoma's lower-risk zones regionally.

Wildfire and tornado concerns

Wildfire risk stands at 82.16—the county's highest exposure—while tornado risk (59.13) and flood risk (19.05) are moderate. Despite wildfire's elevated score, the county's overall composite risk remains low compared to statewide patterns.

Basic homeowners coverage recommended

Standard homeowners insurance covering wind damage provides adequate protection for most Johnston County properties. Residents in high-wildfire-risk areas should verify their policy includes wildfire coverage or explore supplemental options.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Johnston County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Johnston County

Risk Verdict

Johnston County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 25th percentile nationally. At the 25th percentile nationally, Johnston County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Johnston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (35th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), flood (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 82th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Johnston 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 59th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Johnston County residents.

Regional Context

Johnston County falls 30.1 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 Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK?
Johnston 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 Johnston County?
Johnston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (82th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), flooding (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 82th 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 Johnston County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Johnston 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 Johnston County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Johnston County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Johnston County's wildfire risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Johnston County is at the 19th 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 Johnston County a safe place to live?
Johnston 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 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.