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

Pushmataha County Disaster Risk

Pushmataha County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

33th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

36th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma

Pushmataha among America's lowest-risk counties

Pushmataha County's composite risk score of 32.79 places it in the very low category and well below the national average. This makes Pushmataha one of Oklahoma's safest counties overall, though localized wildfire exposure remains a consideration.

Oklahoma's lowest-risk county assessed here

At 32.79, Pushmataha's composite score falls dramatically below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, making it the safest county in this group. The county benefits from reduced tornado and earthquake exposure that characterizes much of the state.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Pushmataha's score of 32.79 is substantially lower than all nearby counties, including Pontotoc (62.91), Pittsburg (73.28), and Pottawatomie (82.32). The county represents a notably safer zone in southeast Oklahoma.

Wildfire is the primary concern here

Pushmataha's wildfire risk of 88.71 stands out as its most significant hazard despite the county's overall very low risk rating. Tornado risk at 54.58 and flood risk at 36.07 are substantially lower and represent manageable secondary concerns.

Focus on wildfire protection and standard coverage

Pushmataha County residents should prioritize wildfire prevention through defensible space management and ensure adequate wildfire coverage in their homeowners insurance. Standard comprehensive homeowners insurance should address the county's other relatively modest risks from tornadoes and flooding.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pushmataha County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Pushmataha County

Risk Verdict

Pushmataha County's overall natural disaster score at the 33th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Being ranked at the 33th percentile nationally is an advantage for Pushmataha County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Pushmataha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), flood (36th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 89th percentile nationally, Pushmataha 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 Pushmataha County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 55th percentile nationally means Pushmataha County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Pushmataha County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Pushmataha County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Pushmataha County's composite risk score sits 22.7 points below the Oklahoma county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Pushmataha 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 Pushmataha County, OK?
Pushmataha County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 33th 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 Pushmataha County?
Pushmataha County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), flooding (36th percentile), hurricane (32th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Pushmataha County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Pushmataha County's composite risk percentile is 33th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pushmataha County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Pushmataha County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Pushmataha County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pushmataha County is at the 36th 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.
Is Pushmataha County a safe place to live?
Pushmataha County's composite risk score of 33th percentile is below the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.