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

Osage County Disaster Risk

Osage County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% 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 45% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Osage County, Oklahoma

Osage faces above-average disaster risk nationally

Osage County's composite risk score of 78.09 places it in the relatively low category, but well above the nation's typical baseline. This reflects the county's particular vulnerability to wildfire and tornado hazards that characterize Oklahoma's natural disaster profile.

Higher risk than most Oklahoma counties

With a score of 78.09, Osage ranks significantly above Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, making it one of the state's more hazard-prone counties. The county's exposure to multiple simultaneous threats puts it in the upper tier of Oklahoma risk.

Among the highest-risk in northeast Oklahoma

Osage's score of 78.09 exceeds nearby Ottawa County (76.05) and Pawnee County (48.09), placing it as a regional risk leader. Its wildfire score of 94.75 is particularly acute compared to neighbors, though tornado exposure is shared across the region.

Wildfire and tornado threats dominate here

Osage's wildfire risk of 94.75 and tornado risk of 88.74 represent the county's most serious natural hazards, driven by grassland terrain and storm patterns. Flood risk at 75.10 also merits preparation, particularly for rural properties and those near waterways.

Secure wildfire and storm coverage now

Homeowners in Osage should verify that wind and hail coverage is included in their insurance policies given the 88.74 tornado risk. Consider additional wildfire coverage or defensible space improvements around structures, especially in rural or forested areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Osage County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Osage County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Osage County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 78th percentile. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Osage County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (75th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 95th percentile nationally, Osage 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 Osage County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 89th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Osage County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Osage County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Osage County is 22.6 composite risk points above the Oklahoma average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Osage 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 Osage County, OK?
Osage County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Osage County?
Osage County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (95th percentile), tornado (89th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), earthquake (45th percentile), hurricane (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 95th 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 Osage County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Osage County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Osage County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Osage County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Osage County's wildfire risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Osage County is at the 75th 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 Osage County higher risk than average?
Osage County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (95th percentile), along with tornado and flooding 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.