Dewey County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Dewey County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 15.6, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Dewey County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 15.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.94 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 90.41 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $215K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dewey County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Dewey County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 18 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Jumping Juniper Fire (fire), declared in March 2026.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Dewey County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.94 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 90.41 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $215K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.06 / yr | $423K |
| Hail | Low | 7.89 / yr | $162K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.73 / yr | $769K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $582K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.11 / yr | $103K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.32 / yr | $23K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $753K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.84 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Dewey County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Jumping Juniper Fire in March 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Severe Ice Storm (8), Fire (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Fire | Jumping Juniper Fire |
| March 2025 | Fire | 840 Road Fire |
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2018 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2018 | Fire | Rhea Fire Complex |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dewey County?
Dewey County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 15.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dewey County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $215K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dewey County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Dewey County ranks #74 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dewey County had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Dewey County since 1973, most often 18 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Jumping Juniper Fire, declared in March 2026.
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. Dewey County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.