Atoka County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

30.4

National percentile: 30th

Atoka County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.4, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Risk Overview

Atoka County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 30.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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.

Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.14 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $547K in expected annual loss and about 1.47 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $502K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.

Beyond physical exposure, Atoka County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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.

History supports the rating: Atoka County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 14 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in July 2023.

Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Atoka County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $7M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 14K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

High $2M/yr
High $547K/yr
Low $502K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hail High 6.14 / yr$2M
Ice Storm High 1.47 / yr$547K
Wildfire Low 0.01 / yr$502K
Drought Medium 41.18 / yr$364K
Heat Wave Low 21.21 / yr$550K
Tornado Low 0.75 / yr$936K
Landslide Very Low 0.45 / yr$555
Winter Weather Low 5.21 / yr$29K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr$17K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr$87K
Cold Wave Low 1.26 / yr$393K
Lightning Low 58.48 / yr$89K
Strong Wind Low 3.04 / yr$190K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.79 / yr$2M
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

Atoka County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Severe Ice Storm (6), Biological (2).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
July 2023Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
February 2021Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
February 2021Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
April 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
July 2019Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
May 2015Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
May 2013TornadoSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
April 2011Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds
February 2011Severe StormSevere Winter Storm

Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Atoka County?

Atoka County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Atoka County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $547K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $502K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Atoka County compare to other Oklahoma counties?

Atoka County ranks #65 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Atoka County had?

FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Atoka County since 1970, most often 14 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in July 2023.

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. Atoka County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.