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

Oklahoma County Disaster Risk

Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

98th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

98th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Oklahoma County ranks among the nation's riskiest

At 97.93, Oklahoma County's composite risk is among the highest in the entire United States, earning a "Relatively High" rating. The county faces serious multi-hazard exposure that demands proactive preparation.

Oklahoma County leads the state in risk

At 97.93, Oklahoma County ranks as Oklahoma's riskiest county by a significant margin, nearly 43 points above the state average of 55.47. No other Oklahoma county approaches this level of disaster exposure.

Oklahoma County far exceeds regional peers

Oklahoma County (97.93) dramatically outpaces neighbors Canadian (N/A), Grady (N/A), and Pottawatomie (N/A) in composite risk. It stands as an extreme outlier in the Oklahoma City metropolitan region.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods converge

Tornado risk reaches 99.52—nearly maximum—reflecting Oklahoma City's notorious exposure to violent storms, while earthquake risk (93.99) and flood risk (97.65) create overlapping vulnerabilities. Wildfire exposure (88.93) adds a fourth substantial threat.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage is critical

Oklahoma County residents must secure homeowners insurance with explicit coverage for wind, hail, flood, and earthquake—standard policies typically exclude these. Invest in a certified storm shelter or hardened safe room rated for EF5 tornadoes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Oklahoma County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    100th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    98th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    94th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Oklahoma County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard exposure in Oklahoma County is notably high, placing it at the 98th percentile among all U.S. counties. Oklahoma County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Oklahoma County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 98th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (94th percentile), wildfire (89th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 100th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Oklahoma County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Oklahoma County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Oklahoma County at the 98th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Oklahoma 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

A composite score 42.5 points above the Oklahoma state average puts Oklahoma County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma County, OK?
Oklahoma County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 98th 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 Oklahoma County?
Oklahoma County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (100th percentile), flooding (98th percentile), earthquake (94th percentile), wildfire (89th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 100th 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 Oklahoma County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Oklahoma County's composite risk percentile is 98th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Oklahoma County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Oklahoma County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Oklahoma County's tornado risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Oklahoma County is at the 98th 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 Oklahoma County higher risk than average?
Oklahoma County's composite risk score of 98th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and wildfire 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

Tulsa County

Oklahoma

-0.0

Relatively High

98th percentile

Cleveland County

Oklahoma

-6.6

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Comanche County

Oklahoma

-11.7

Relatively Moderate

86th 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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