Cleveland County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Cleveland County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.3, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $112M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cleveland County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 91.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.30 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 11.49 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 1.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $112M in expected annual loss for a population of 295K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cleveland County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Cleveland County has received 43 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 14 for severe storm events and 10 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds (fire), declared in May 2025.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Cleveland County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.30 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | High | 11.49 / yr | $11M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.58 / yr | $20M |
| Heat Wave | High | 18.26 / yr | $12M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.35 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.68 / yr | $17M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.89 / yr | $836K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $36M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $759K |
| Drought | Medium | 29.27 / yr | $768K |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.32 / yr | $642K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $26K |
| 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
Cleveland County has received 43 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Fire (10), Severe Ice Storm (10).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2025 | Fire | East Thunderbird Fire |
| April 2023 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| February 2017 | Fire | Okc Fire Complex |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 43 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cleveland County?
Cleveland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cleveland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $6M EAL), Hail (High, $11M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $20M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cleveland County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Cleveland County ranks #3 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cleveland County had?
FEMA records 43 federal disaster declarations for Cleveland County since 1970, most often 14 for severe storm events and 10 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 2025.
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. Cleveland County's $112M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.