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

McClain County Disaster Risk

McClain County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% 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 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in McClain County, Oklahoma

McClain County exceeds typical U.S. risk

McClain County's composite risk score of 62.82 earns a "Relatively Low" rating but sits above the national average. The county faces notable exposure to tornado and wildfire hazards.

Higher than Oklahoma's average risk

At 62.82, McClain County's composite risk exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, reflecting above-average tornado (89.12) and wildfire (87.18) threats. The county ranks in the upper half of Oklahoma's risk profile.

Riskier than Love and Major Counties

McClain County (62.82) faces substantially more risk than Love County (21.12) and Major County (34.19) to the south, but less than Lincoln County (71.31) and Logan County (74.68) to the north. Marshall County (48.98) is the least risky neighbor.

Tornado and wildfire lead threats

Tornado risk scores 89.12 and wildfire 87.18, both among the state's highest, making them McClain County's dominant hazards. Flood (53.28) and earthquake (55.09) risks are moderate but significant.

Strengthen wind and fire defenses

Prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage in your homeowner's policy to protect against tornadoes, and ensure wildfire damage is included. Consider whether your home's location and construction can be fortified against severe weather, and review coverage limits annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in McClain County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    87th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    55th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: McClain County

Risk Verdict

At the 63th percentile nationally, McClain County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. McClain County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is McClain County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (55th percentile), flood (53th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

McClain County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 89th percentile nationally. In McClain County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 87th percentile nationally means McClain County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when McClain County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to McClain County households.

Regional Context

McClain County falls 7.3 points above Oklahoma's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for McClain 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 McClain County, OK?
McClain County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 McClain County?
McClain County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (89th percentile), wildfire (87th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 89th 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 McClain County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
McClain County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means McClain County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is McClain County at risk for tornado?
Yes, McClain County's tornado risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, McClain County is at the 53th 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 McClain County higher risk than average?
McClain County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (89th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pontotoc County

Oklahoma

+0.1

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Caddo County

Oklahoma

+0.6

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Custer County

Oklahoma

-0.8

Relatively Low

62th 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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