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

Latimer County Disaster Risk

Latimer County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% 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 37% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Latimer County, Oklahoma

Latimer County has very low risk

Latimer County's composite risk score of 34.64 ranks as very low—well below the national average and substantially under Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This low-risk profile reflects moderate to low exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Among Oklahoma's safer counties

At 34.64, Latimer County ranks among the lower-risk counties statewide, with a score less than two-thirds the state average of 55.47. The county holds a favorable position in Oklahoma's natural disaster risk landscape.

Lower risk than most surrounding areas

Latimer County's score of 34.64 is comparable to Kiowa County (35.78) and substantially lower than Le Flore County (82.70) to the southeast. The county benefits from relatively lower hazard exposure within its region.

Wildfire dominates hazard exposure

Wildfire risk reaches an exceptional 92.62—one of Oklahoma's highest—making it the county's defining hazard, while tornado (52.39) and flood risks (40.59) are moderate. The wildfire score stands out sharply against the county's otherwise low overall risk profile.

Prioritize wildfire coverage

Latimer County residents, particularly those in or near forested areas, should verify their homeowners policies include wildfire damage protection or explore separate wildfire insurance. Standard tornado and wind coverage should also be confirmed to address secondary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Latimer County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    41th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Latimer County

Risk Verdict

At the 35th percentile nationally, Latimer County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 35th percentile, Latimer County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Latimer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (41th percentile), hurricane (37th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Latimer County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Latimer County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 52th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Latimer 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 20.8 points below the Oklahoma state average puts Latimer County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Latimer 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 Latimer County, OK?
Latimer County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Latimer County?
Latimer County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), flooding (41th percentile), hurricane (37th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 93th 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 Latimer County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Latimer County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Latimer County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Latimer County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Latimer County's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Latimer County is at the 41th 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 Latimer County a safe place to live?
Latimer County's composite risk score of 35th 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 93th 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.