Grant County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Grant County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.8, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Grant County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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.
Most of Grant 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 0.74 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 75.15 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Grant County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 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, Grant County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.74 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 75.15 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 9.43 / yr | $449K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 16.95 / yr | $588K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.94 / yr | $599K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $218 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 6.09 / yr | $118K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.84 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.32 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Grant County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (8), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Grant County ranks #67 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1973, most often 16 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. Grant County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.