Coal County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Coal County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.4, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Coal County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.97 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $484K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $640K in expected annual loss and about 43.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Coal 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 federal record bears this out: Coal County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (tornado), declared in April 2024.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Coal County ranks #61 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 6.97 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $484K |
| Drought | Medium | 43.07 / yr | $640K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $217K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.46 / yr | $771K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.89 / yr | $203K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $261K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.11 / yr | $12K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 55.74 / yr | $36K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.27 / yr | $80K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $876K |
| 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
Coal County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Severe Ice Storm (6), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe 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 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Coal County?
Coal County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Coal County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $484K EAL), Drought (Medium, $640K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Coal County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Coal County ranks #61 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Coal County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Coal County since 1970, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in April 2024.
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. Coal County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.