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

Kiowa County Disaster Risk

Kiowa County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kiowa County, Oklahoma

Kiowa County has very low risk

Kiowa County's composite risk score of 35.78 ranks as very low—substantially below the national average and well under Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This favorable profile reflects moderate hazard exposure across categories.

Well below Oklahoma's average risk

At 35.78, Kiowa County ranks among the safer counties statewide, well below the state average of 55.47. The county benefits from a relatively low natural disaster risk compared to most of Oklahoma.

Safest county in its region

Kiowa County's score of 35.78 is substantially lower than Jackson County (86.04) and Kingfisher County (56.84), making it one of the safer areas regionally. The county enjoys notably lower hazard exposure than its surrounding peers.

Tornado and wildfire exposure

Tornado risk stands at 72.39—elevated but manageable—while wildfire risk (71.63) presents the county's second-highest exposure. Flood and earthquake risks remain secondary concerns in Kiowa County's overall hazard profile.

Standard homeowners policy sufficient

A basic homeowners policy covering wind and tornado damage provides solid protection for most Kiowa County properties. Residents should still ensure adequate coverage limits and consider flood insurance if near flood-prone areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kiowa County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    47th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Kiowa County

Risk Verdict

Kiowa County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 36th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Kiowa County's favorable 36th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Kiowa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (47th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flood (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Kiowa County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 72th percentile nationally. For Kiowa County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 72th percentile nationally means Kiowa County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Kiowa County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Oklahoma county average exceeds Kiowa County's score by 19.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Kiowa 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 Kiowa County, OK?
Kiowa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Kiowa County?
Kiowa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flooding (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 72th 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 Kiowa County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Kiowa County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Kiowa County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Kiowa County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Kiowa County's tornado risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Kiowa County is at the 23th 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 Kiowa County a safe place to live?
Kiowa County's composite risk score of 36th 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 tornado at the 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Latimer County

Oklahoma

-1.1

Very Low

35th percentile

Major County

Oklahoma

-1.6

Very Low

34th percentile

Hughes County

Oklahoma

-1.7

Very Low

34th 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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