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

Marshall County Disaster Risk

Marshall County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

39th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marshall County, Oklahoma

Marshall County has moderate risk

Marshall County's composite risk score of 48.98 earns a "Relatively Low" rating and sits slightly below the national average. This moderate profile stems from balanced exposure across flood, wildfire, and tornado hazards.

Below Oklahoma's average risk

At 48.98, Marshall County scores below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, positioning it among the safer half of Oklahoma counties. The advantage is particularly strong in flood and earthquake resistance.

Protected compared to northern neighbors

Marshall County (48.98) faces notably lower risk than Lincoln County (71.31) and Logan County (74.68) to the north, while exceeding the safety of Love County (21.12) and Major County (34.19) to the west. McCurtain County to the east (72.04) presents substantially higher risk.

Wildfire and tornado are main threats

Wildfire risk scores 79.26 and tornado risk 81.36, making them Marshall County's primary hazards. Flood risk is moderate at 38.84, while earthquake (44.85) and hurricane (32.62) remain secondary concerns.

Prioritize wind and fire coverage

Ensure your homeowner's policy includes comprehensive wind and hail protection for tornado damage, and verify wildfire coverage is adequate. Given moderate flood risk, consider whether flood insurance makes sense for your specific property location.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marshall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    45th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marshall County

Risk Verdict

Marshall County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 49th percentile across all U.S. counties. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Marshall County's favorable 49th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Marshall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (45th percentile), flood (39th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 81th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Marshall County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Marshall County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 79th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Marshall County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Marshall County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Marshall County is 6.5 composite risk points below the Oklahoma state mean, meaning most other Oklahoma counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Marshall 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 Marshall County, OK?
Marshall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Marshall County?
Marshall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (81th percentile), wildfire (79th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile), flooding (39th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 81th 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 Marshall County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Marshall County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marshall County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Marshall County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Marshall County's tornado risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marshall County is at the 39th 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 Marshall County a safe place to live?
Marshall County's composite risk score of 49th 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 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pawnee County

Oklahoma

-0.9

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Choctaw County

Oklahoma

+0.9

Relatively Low

50th percentile

Cimarron County

Oklahoma

-1.7

Relatively Low

47th 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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