Garfield County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Garfield County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.1, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $43M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Garfield County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 2.74 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 0.91 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $43M in expected annual loss for a population of 63K.
Beyond physical exposure, Garfield 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: Garfield County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Garfield County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.74 / yr | $15M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.91 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.13 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 1.01 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.53 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 64.74 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.35 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.32 / yr | $148K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $11M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $377K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $671 |
| Lightning | Low | 50.83 / yr | $121K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Garfield County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Garfield County?
Garfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Garfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Garfield County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Garfield County ranks #12 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Garfield County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Garfield County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 2021.
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. Garfield County's $43M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.