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

Major County Disaster Risk

Major County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Major County, Oklahoma

Major County has very low risk

Major County's composite risk score of 34.19 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it well below the national average for disaster exposure. This favorable assessment reflects broadly moderate hazard risks across multiple categories.

Much safer than Oklahoma average

Major County's 34.19 score is roughly 38% of Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, ranking among the state's safest counties. This protection extends across flood, wildfire, tornado, earthquake, and hurricane hazards.

Safest in its region alongside Love County

Major County (34.19) is substantially safer than Lincoln County (71.31) and Logan County (74.68) to the north, and nearly tied with Love County (21.12) as the region's lowest-risk area. Only Mayes County's elevated flood and wildfire scores distinguish the risk profiles.

Wildfire is the primary hazard

Wildfire risk scores 66.09, making it Major County's highest exposure, though still below state average. Tornado (41.13) and earthquake (27.48) risks remain well-controlled.

Basic insurance typically sufficient

Major County's low overall risk means standard homeowner's insurance with fire and wind coverage provides solid protection for most properties. Review your policy annually to ensure replacement cost coverage keeps pace with home values.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Major County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    66th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Major County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Major County ranks at the 34th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 34th percentile, Major County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Major County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), flood (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Major County sits at the 66th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Major County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's tornado exposure at the 41th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Major County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 21.3 points below the Oklahoma state average, Major County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Major 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 Major County, OK?
Major County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Major County?
Major County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (66th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), flooding (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 66th 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 Major County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Major County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Major County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Major County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Major County's wildfire risk is at the 66th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Major County is at the 14th 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 Major County a safe place to live?
Major County's composite risk score of 34th 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 66th 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.