Canadian County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Canadian County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.5, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $74M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Canadian County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 83.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Canadian County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.40 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 11.14 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $74M in expected annual loss for a population of 154K.
Beyond physical exposure, Canadian County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Canadian County has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for severe storm events and 11 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Canadian County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.40 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | High | 11.14 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | High | 1.00 / yr | $17M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.79 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.00 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.58 / yr | $489K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $917K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $24M |
| Drought | Medium | 41.42 / yr | $770K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $734K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.84 / yr | $137K |
| 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
Canadian County has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (11), Flood (4).
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 39 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Canadian County?
Canadian County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Canadian County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $5M EAL), Hail (High, $6M EAL), Tornado (High, $17M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Canadian County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Canadian County ranks #7 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Canadian County had?
FEMA records 39 federal disaster declarations for Canadian County since 1973, most often 16 for severe storm events and 11 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. Canadian County's $74M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.