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

Okmulgee County Disaster Risk

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

75th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

66th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

Okmulgee faces elevated national disaster risk

With a composite score of 74.62, Okmulgee County ranks well above national averages for natural disaster exposure, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county's multi-hazard profile demands careful preparation.

Okmulgee exceeds Oklahoma's state average

At 74.62, Okmulgee ranks significantly above Oklahoma's 55.47 state average, placing it in the upper third of the state's riskiest counties. Its exposure substantially exceeds typical Oklahoma risk levels.

Okmulgee ranks high in eastern Oklahoma

Okmulgee (74.62) trails only Muskogee (82.03) in the region while outpacing McIntosh (65.78), Okfuskee (40.39), and Murray (32.54). It represents the second-highest-risk county in the eastern Oklahoma cluster.

Wildfire and tornado create dual threats

Wildfire risk peaks at 91.73—among Oklahoma's highest—while tornado exposure (84.67) ranks second. Flood risk (66.00) adds a third significant hazard, creating a complex multi-threat environment.

Multi-hazard policies protect against overlap

Okmulgee residents should ensure homeowners policies explicitly cover wildfire, wind, hail, and flood damage. Identify shelter locations for tornado season and maintain vegetation clearance around structures year-round.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Okmulgee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    66th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Okmulgee County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 75th, Okmulgee County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Okmulgee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (66th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 92th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Okmulgee County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Okmulgee County residents.

Regional Context

At 19.1 points above the Oklahoma state average, Okmulgee County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Oklahoma county.

Is your household prepared for Okmulgee 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 Okmulgee County, OK?
Okmulgee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 75th 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 Okmulgee County?
Okmulgee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (92th percentile), tornado (85th percentile), flooding (66th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 92th 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 Okmulgee County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Okmulgee County's composite risk percentile is 75th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Okmulgee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Okmulgee County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Okmulgee County's wildfire risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Okmulgee County is at the 66th 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 Okmulgee County higher risk than average?
Okmulgee County's composite risk score of 75th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (92th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.