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

Tillman County Disaster Risk

Tillman County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#75

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tillman County, Oklahoma

Tillman County ranks among safest nationally

Tillman County's composite risk score of 13.42 places it in the very low category, dramatically below the Oklahoma state average of 55.47. This southwestern county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. regions.

Oklahoma's safest county by far

Tillman County ranks as one of Oklahoma's lowest-risk communities, with a composite score only 24% of the state average. Only Roger Mills (23.19) rivals Tillman's exceptionally low natural disaster exposure statewide.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Tillman County's 13.42 score is dramatically lower than all neighboring counties, particularly compared to Stephens County (65.94) and other surrounding communities. The county's unique geographic position creates substantial protective advantages.

Wildfire is the primary hazard

Wildfire risk (52.70) is Tillman County's most significant exposure, though still modest compared to other Oklahoma counties. Tornado risk (41.09) and hurricane risk (35.13) present secondary but manageable threats.

Standard insurance provides solid protection

Tillman County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance coverage for most natural disaster scenarios given the county's very low overall risk. Regular property maintenance and fire prevention measures provide adequate supplemental protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tillman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    53th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tillman County

Risk Verdict

Tillman County's overall natural disaster score at the 13th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Tillman County residents can take confidence from a 13th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Tillman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 53th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (35th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flood (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 53th percentile nationally, Tillman 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 Tillman County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 41th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Tillman County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Tillman County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Tillman County's composite risk score sits 42.1 points below the Oklahoma county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Tillman 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 Tillman County, OK?
Tillman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Tillman County?
Tillman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (53th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flooding (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 53th 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 Tillman County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Tillman County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tillman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Tillman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Tillman County's wildfire risk is at the 53th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Tillman County is at the 7th 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 Tillman County a safe place to live?
Tillman County's composite risk score of 13th 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 53th 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.