Ottawa County Disaster Risk
Ottawa County, Oklahoma
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
76th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#21
of 77 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
78th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% 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 34% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Ottawa County, Oklahoma
Ottawa County faces elevated national disaster risk
Ottawa County's composite risk score of 76.05 indicates relatively low rating but substantially higher exposure than the national average. This score reflects the county's particular vulnerability to tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes across multiple hazard types.
Well above Oklahoma's average risk profile
At 76.05, Ottawa's composite score exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47 by more than 20 points, ranking it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county faces more persistent natural disaster threats than most of its peers.
Second-highest risk in the northeast region
Ottawa's score of 76.05 falls just behind Osage County (78.09) and significantly above Pawnee County (48.09) in the immediate area. The county shares similar tornado and earthquake risks with its neighbors but has notably higher flood exposure at 78.24.
Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes pose threats
Ottawa faces a substantial tornado risk of 73.60, flood risk of 78.24, and moderate earthquake risk of 61.23—a trio of serious hazards. The combination of water and wind threats means dual preparation is essential across different seasons.
Bundle flood and wind insurance carefully
Ottawa County residents should ensure their homeowners policies explicitly cover both wind/hail damage (73.60 tornado risk) and flooding (78.24 flood risk). Consider a separate flood policy if standard insurance excludes it, and review coverage annually given the county's multi-hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Ottawa County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Ottawa County
Risk Verdict
At the 76th percentile nationally, Ottawa County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Ottawa County.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Ottawa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (65th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), hurricane (34th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ottawa County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary tornado exposure at the 74th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Ottawa County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
Ottawa County falls 20.6 points above Oklahoma's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Ottawa County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Ottawa County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Ottawa County?
How does Ottawa County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Ottawa County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Ottawa County higher risk than average?
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.