Comanche County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Comanche County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.2, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $51M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Comanche County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 86.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 5.37 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.22 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 1.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $51M in expected annual loss for a population of 121K.
Beyond physical exposure, Comanche County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Comanche County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 for severe storm events and 8 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, Comanche County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.37 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.22 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 1.08 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Medium | 11.55 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.68 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.21 / yr | $344K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $20M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.95 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 78.72 / yr | $534K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.28 / yr | $6K |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.38 / yr | $291K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $38K |
| 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
Comanche County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Severe Ice Storm (8), Fire (5).
| 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 |
| December 2020 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Ferguson Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Comanche County?
Comanche County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Comanche County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Comanche County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Comanche County ranks #4 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Comanche County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Comanche County since 1973, most often 15 for severe storm events and 8 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. Comanche County's $51M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.