riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pottawatomie County Disaster Risk

Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

82th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pottawatomie County

Risk Verdict

Pottawatomie County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 82th 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 Pottawatomie County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 92th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (68th), flood (67th), hurricane (38th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Pottawatomie 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

Pottawatomie County is significantly riskier than the average county in Oklahoma. Its composite risk score is 26.8 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 Pottawatomie County, OK?
Pottawatomie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 82th 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 Pottawatomie County?
Pottawatomie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (97th percentile), wildfire (92th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 97th 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 Pottawatomie County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Pottawatomie County's composite risk percentile is 82th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pottawatomie County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Pottawatomie County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Pottawatomie County's tornado risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pottawatomie County is at the 67th 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 Pottawatomie County higher risk than average?
Pottawatomie County's composite risk score of 82th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (97th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and flooding 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

Garfield County

Oklahoma

-0.2

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Muskogee County

Oklahoma

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

82th percentile

Delaware County

Oklahoma

+0.3

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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