Pontotoc County Disaster Risk
Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
63th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#34
of 77 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
46th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma
Pontotoc County faces moderate national disaster risk
Pontotoc County's composite risk score of 62.91 places it in the relatively low category and only slightly above the national average. However, the county's wildfire and tornado risks deserve particular attention despite the overall moderate profile.
Slightly above Oklahoma's average risk
At 62.91, Pontotoc's score marginally exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, positioning it roughly in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county faces relatively balanced threats across multiple hazard types.
Mid-tier risk among surrounding counties
Pontotoc's score of 62.91 sits between higher-risk Payne County (83.94) and lower-risk Pushmataha County (32.79), with similar risk to Pawnee County (48.09). The county represents a moderate-risk zone in central Oklahoma.
Wildfire and tornado are leading threats
Pontotoc faces a significant wildfire risk of 90.17 and tornado risk of 88.45, making these dual hazards the county's primary concerns. Flood risk at 45.58 represents a lower but still meaningful threat, particularly for riverside properties.
Cover wind, wildfire, and flood exposures
Pontotoc County residents should ensure insurance policies provide robust coverage for wind/hail (88.45 tornado risk) and wildfire (90.17), plus separate flood coverage if needed. Regular property maintenance and vegetation management around structures significantly reduce wildfire exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Pontotoc County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Pontotoc County
Risk Verdict
Pontotoc County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 63th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Pontotoc County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Pontotoc County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (57th percentile), flood (46th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 90th percentile nationally for wildfire, Pontotoc County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's tornado exposure at the 88th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Pontotoc County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 7.4 points above the Oklahoma state average puts Pontotoc County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Pontotoc County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Pontotoc County, OK?
What types of natural hazards affect Pontotoc County?
How does Pontotoc County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Is Pontotoc County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Pontotoc 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.