Garvin County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Garvin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.7, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Garvin County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 61.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Garvin County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $747K in expected annual loss and about 1.56 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 39.75 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Garvin 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Garvin County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 15 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in March 2025.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Garvin County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.56 / yr | $747K |
| Drought | Medium | 39.75 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 11.14 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $810K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.96 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 19.37 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.65 / yr | $295K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $361K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.16 / yr | $70K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.37 / yr | $956K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $29K |
| 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
Garvin County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in March 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Severe Ice Storm (8), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Severe Storm | 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 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2010 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Garvin County?
Garvin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Garvin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $747K EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Garvin County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Garvin County ranks #37 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Garvin County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Garvin County since 1970, most often 15 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in March 2025.
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. Garvin County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.