riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Payne County Disaster Risk

Payne County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

84th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

68th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Payne County

Risk Verdict

Payne County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 84th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Payne County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (68th), earthquake (58th), hurricane (30th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Payne County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Payne County is significantly riskier than the average county in Oklahoma. Its composite risk score is 28.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Payne County, OK?
Payne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 84th 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 Payne County?
Payne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), wildfire (90th percentile), flooding (68th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado 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 Payne County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Payne County's composite risk percentile is 84th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Payne County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Payne County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Payne County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Payne County is at the 68th 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 Payne County higher risk than average?
Payne County's composite risk score of 84th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Canadian County

Oklahoma

-0.4

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Creek County

Oklahoma

-0.7

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Le Flore County

Oklahoma

-1.2

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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