Cotton County
Oklahoma — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Cotton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.9, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 92.42 / yr | $596K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $131K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.11 / yr | $67K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 15.79 / yr | $155K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.04 / yr | $288K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $69K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.54 / yr | $427K |
| Hail | Very Low | 10.10 / yr | $82K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $117 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.42 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $138K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $880K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.81 / yr | $9K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cotton County?
Cotton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cotton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $596K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $131K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $67K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cotton County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Cotton County ranks #77 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Cotton County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.