Alfalfa County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Alfalfa County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.6, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Alfalfa County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Alfalfa County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 74.80 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Alfalfa County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Alfalfa County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 16 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Alfalfa County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.80 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 74.80 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 8.48 / yr | $430K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $71K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.32 / yr | $267K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.77 / yr | $825K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.69 / yr | $298K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $118 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.21 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.67 / yr | $24K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Alfalfa County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2020 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Alfalfa County?
Alfalfa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Alfalfa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Alfalfa County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Alfalfa County ranks #52 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Alfalfa County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Alfalfa County since 1993, most often 16 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 2021.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Alfalfa County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.