Cimarron County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Cimarron County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.3, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cimarron County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 — $7M in expected annual loss and about 151.01 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $637K in expected annual loss and about 46.66 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cimarron 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: Cimarron County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 2001, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 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, Cimarron County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 151.01 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | High | 46.66 / yr | $637K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.00 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $139K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.79 / yr | $58K |
| Hail | Low | 3.98 / yr | $176K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $132K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $18 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.65 / yr | $41K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $317K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Cimarron County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 2001, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Severe Ice Storm (5), 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 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cimarron County?
Cimarron County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cimarron County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $7M EAL), Lightning (High, $637K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cimarron County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Cimarron County ranks #47 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cimarron County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Cimarron County since 2001, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Cimarron County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.