Grady County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Grady County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.7, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Grady County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 Grady County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.31 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 1.28 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 12.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $34M in expected annual loss for a population of 55K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grady 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Grady County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1983, including 14 for severe storm events and 11 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Norge Fire (fire), declared in March 2025.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Grady County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.31 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 1.28 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.21 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.89 / yr | $179K |
| Drought | Medium | 41.55 / yr | $681K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $636K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $10M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.97 / yr | $97K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.54 / yr | $214K |
| 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
Grady County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1983, most recently Norge Fire in March 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Severe Ice Storm (11), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Fire | Norge 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 |
| July 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 37 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grady County?
Grady County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grady County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grady County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Grady County ranks #22 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grady County had?
FEMA records 37 federal disaster declarations for Grady County since 1983, most often 14 for severe storm events and 11 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Norge Fire, 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. Grady County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.