Beckham County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Beckham County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.8, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Beckham County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.82 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 104.19 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Beckham County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Beckham County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1986, including 11 for severe storm events and 9 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was 1170 Road Fire (fire), declared in March 2026.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Beckham County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.82 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | High | 104.19 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.74 / yr | $250K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.73 / yr | $870K |
| Hail | Medium | 8.21 / yr | $565K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.58 / yr | $372K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $619 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $113K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.54 / yr | $105K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Beckham County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1986, most recently 1170 Road Fire in March 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (9), Fire (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Fire | 1170 Road Fire |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Beckham County?
Beckham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Beckham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Beckham County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Beckham County ranks #38 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Beckham County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Beckham County since 1986, most often 11 for severe storm events and 9 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was 1170 Road Fire, declared in March 2026.
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. Beckham County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.