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

Murray County Disaster Risk

Murray County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Murray County, Oklahoma

Murray County enjoys low national risk

At 32.54, Murray County's composite risk score ranks well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating. This places it among Oklahoma's safest counties for natural disaster exposure.

Murray ranks among Oklahoma's safest

Murray's 32.54 score sits well below Oklahoma's 55.47 state average, making it one of the least at-risk counties in the state. Few Oklahoma counties offer comparable disaster resilience.

Safest county in its region

Murray (32.54) significantly outperforms neighboring McIntosh (65.78) and Muskogee (82.03) counties in overall risk resilience. Its low exposure makes it a standout for stability in south-central Oklahoma.

Wildfire remains the primary concern

Despite low overall risk, wildfire exposure reaches 82.38—notably higher than other hazards. Tornado risk (68.64) also warrants attention, though both remain moderate relative to state and national benchmarks.

Standard coverage sufficient for most risks

Murray County residents can proceed with confidence using standard homeowners insurance, though wildfire riders provide extra protection given the 82.38 wildfire score. Maintain defensible space around structures as a low-cost risk reducer.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Murray County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    37th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Murray County

Risk Verdict

Murray County's overall natural disaster score at the 33th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Murray County's 33th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Murray County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (37th percentile), flood (31th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 82th percentile nationally, Murray County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Murray County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 69th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Murray County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Murray County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Murray County's composite risk score sits 22.9 points below the Oklahoma county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Murray 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 Murray County, OK?
Murray County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th 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 Murray County?
Murray County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (82th percentile), tornado (69th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 82th 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 Murray County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Murray County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Murray County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Murray County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Murray County's wildfire risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Murray County is at the 31th 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 Murray County a safe place to live?
Murray County's composite risk score of 33th 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 82th 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.