Harmon County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Harmon County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.2, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Harmon County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 140.50 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $272K in expected annual loss and about 8.09 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $473K in expected annual loss and about 3.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harmon 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: Harmon County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1995, including 7 for severe ice storm events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Harmon County ranks #76 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 140.50 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 8.09 / yr | $272K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.57 / yr | $473K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.72 / yr | $80K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.42 / yr | $426K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.26 / yr | $17K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 9.95 / yr | $70K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $91 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $164K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.36 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $399K |
| 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
Harmon County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1995, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Ice Storm (7), Severe Storm (7), 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 2018 | Fire | Wildfires |
| February 2016 | Severe 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 |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harmon County?
Harmon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harmon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $272K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $473K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harmon County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Harmon County ranks #76 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harmon County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Harmon County since 1995, most often 7 for severe ice storm events and 7 for severe 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. Harmon County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.