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

Stephens County Disaster Risk

Stephens County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

66th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

54th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stephens County, Oklahoma

Stephens County above national average risk

Stephens County's composite risk score of 65.94 exceeds the Oklahoma state average of 55.47, placing it in the relatively low category nationally. The county faces measurably higher natural disaster exposure than the typical U.S. region.

Upper-middle risk tier in Oklahoma

Stephens County ranks in the upper-middle range of Oklahoma's 77 counties, with a risk score 19% above the state average. The county experiences notably higher hazard exposure than most Oklahoma communities but below the state's highest-risk counties.

Elevated risk in south-central Oklahoma

Stephens County's 65.94 score positions it above nearby Texas County (56.65) but below Sequoyah County (79.10), reflecting its location in Oklahoma's varied south-central region. The county's risk profile bridges the lower and upper-risk tiers of the state.

Tornadoes and wildfire the primary concerns

Tornado risk (89.76) is Stephens County's highest hazard exposure, followed closely by wildfire risk (88.55), both reflecting the county's location in Oklahoma's active weather zone. Earthquake risk (62.63) presents a moderate tertiary threat.

Storm safety and fire protection essential

Stephens County homeowners should invest in comprehensive homeowners coverage emphasizing wind and hail protection for tornado season. Maintaining a storm shelter and creating defensible space around structures provides critical protection against both tornado and wildfire threats.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stephens County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Stephens County

Risk Verdict

Stephens County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 66th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Stephens County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Stephens County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (63th percentile), flood (54th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 90th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Stephens County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Stephens County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 89th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Stephens County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Stephens County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

A composite score 10.5 points above the Oklahoma state average puts Stephens County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Stephens 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 Stephens County, OK?
Stephens County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 66th 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 Stephens County?
Stephens County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), wildfire (89th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), flooding (54th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 90th 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 Stephens County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Stephens County's composite risk percentile is 66th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Stephens County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Stephens County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Stephens County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stephens County is at the 54th 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 Stephens County higher risk than average?
Stephens County's composite risk score of 66th percentile is above the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (90th 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

McIntosh County

Oklahoma

-0.2

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Caddo County

Oklahoma

-2.5

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Pontotoc County

Oklahoma

-3.0

Relatively Low

63th percentile

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.

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