Harper County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Harper County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.7, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Harper County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 94.63 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $349K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harper County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Harper County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 2001, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in July 2023.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Harper County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 94.63 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $349K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 8.67 / yr | $383K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.81 / yr | $372K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.63 / yr | $95K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.82 / yr | $170K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.95 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $10 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.56 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $681K |
| 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
Harper County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 2001, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Severe Ice Storm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Nw Oklahoma Wildfire Outbreak Complex |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harper County?
Harper County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harper County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $5M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $349K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harper County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Harper County ranks #48 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harper County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Harper County since 2001, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in July 2023.
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. Harper County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.