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

McCurtain County Disaster Risk

McCurtain County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

72th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#29

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

76th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in McCurtain County, Oklahoma

McCurtain County faces above-average risk

McCurtain County's composite risk score of 72.04 earns a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeds the national average. The county's multi-hazard profile is driven by elevated flood, wildfire, and tornado risks.

Higher than Oklahoma's average risk

At 72.04, McCurtain County's composite risk significantly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. The county stands out for its notably higher hurricane risk (55.99) and earthquake risk (64.73) compared to most other Oklahoma counties.

Among the riskier counties

McCurtain County (72.04) approaches the risk levels of Lincoln County (71.31) and Mayes County (77.58), making it one of the region's more hazard-exposed areas. All three face substantially more risk than Major County (34.19) or Love County (21.12).

Flood, wildfire, and tornado converge

Flood risk scores 75.89, wildfire 77.61, and tornado 76.69, creating a formidable triple threat to McCurtain County. Earthquake (64.73) and hurricane (55.99) risks are also notably elevated compared to other Oklahoma counties.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Homeowners need robust flood insurance, fire coverage, and wind protection—standard policies exclude flood damage, and comprehensive protection is essential here. Consider the southeastern location's hurricane exposure and ensure your policy limits reflect full replacement costs for all three primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in McCurtain County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    76th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: McCurtain County

Risk Verdict

McCurtain County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in McCurtain County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is McCurtain County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (76th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is McCurtain County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 78th percentile nationally. McCurtain County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 77th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For McCurtain County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

McCurtain County's composite risk score sits 16.6 points above the Oklahoma county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for McCurtain 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 McCurtain County, OK?
McCurtain County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 72th 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 McCurtain County?
McCurtain County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (78th percentile), tornado (77th percentile), flooding (76th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 78th 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 McCurtain County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
McCurtain County's composite risk percentile is 72th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means McCurtain County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is McCurtain County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, McCurtain County's wildfire risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, McCurtain County is at the 76th 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 McCurtain County higher risk than average?
McCurtain County's composite risk score of 72th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (78th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake and hurricane 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

Lincoln County

Oklahoma

-0.7

Relatively Low

71th percentile

Wagoner County

Oklahoma

+1.2

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Pittsburg County

Oklahoma

+1.2

Relatively Low

73th 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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