Greer County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Greer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.1, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Greer County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 138.13 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $178K in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $106K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greer County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Greer County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1986, including 9 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, Greer County ranks #73 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 138.13 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $178K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $106K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.00 / yr | $584K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.50 / yr | $940K |
| Hail | Low | 8.50 / yr | $194K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.63 / yr | $162K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.37 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.74 / yr | $259K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.57 / yr | $25K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $590K |
| 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
Greer County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1986, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), 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 |
| 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 |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2010 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greer County?
Greer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $178K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $106K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greer County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Greer County ranks #73 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greer County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Greer County since 1986, most often 9 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. Greer County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.