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

Lincoln County Disaster Risk

Lincoln County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Oklahoma

Lincoln County's risk ranks above average

With a composite risk score of 71.31, Lincoln County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and tornado activity that exceed national norms.

Well above Oklahoma's average risk

Lincoln County's 71.31 score significantly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it among the higher-risk counties in the state. The county's wildfire and tornado risks are the primary drivers of this above-average exposure.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Lincoln County faces substantially higher risks than neighboring Major County (34.19) and Love County (21.12), but comparable exposure to Logan County (74.68). The difference is most dramatic in wildfire risk, where Lincoln County scores 92.81 versus Major County's 66.09.

Wildfire and tornado dominate here

Wildfire risk scores 92.81—among the highest in the state—followed by tornado risk at 88.64, creating a potent two-part threat. Flood and earthquake risks remain moderate, with scores of 50.45 and 50.13 respectively.

Strengthen insurance for fire and wind

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive coverage for wildfire damage and ensure wind/tornado protection is included in their policies. Consider reviewing whether your current coverage limits reflect the cost to rebuild, especially given the county's elevated fire risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lincoln County

Risk Verdict

Lincoln County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 71th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Lincoln County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for wildfire, Lincoln County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's tornado exposure at the 89th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Lincoln County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

A composite score 15.8 points above the Oklahoma state average puts Lincoln County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, OK?
Lincoln County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), tornado (89th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), hurricane (19th 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 Lincoln County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Lincoln County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lincoln County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Lincoln County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lincoln County's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lincoln County is at the 50th 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.
Why is Lincoln County higher risk than average?
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (93th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.