Choctaw County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Choctaw County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.9, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Choctaw County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 41.74 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $520K in expected annual loss and about 1.27 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 23.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Choctaw County has a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Choctaw County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 10 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, Choctaw County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 41.74 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.27 / yr | $520K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 23.26 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 5.03 / yr | $270K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $69K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $126K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $429K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.00 / yr | $30K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.93 / yr | $237K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 59.62 / yr | $52K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $81 |
| 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
Choctaw County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Choctaw County?
Choctaw County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Choctaw County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $520K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Choctaw County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Choctaw County ranks #44 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Choctaw County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Choctaw County since 1968, most often 10 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. Choctaw County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.