Hughes County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Hughes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.0, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hughes County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 7.98 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $558K in expected annual loss and about 1.52 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hughes County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Hughes County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 7 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (tornado), declared in April 2024.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Hughes County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.98 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.52 / yr | $558K |
| Drought | Medium | 31.97 / yr | $351K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.47 / yr | $548K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $930K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.42 / yr | $54K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $107K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.03 / yr | $93K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.17 / yr | $179K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $2M |
| 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
Hughes County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (7), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2010 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hughes County?
Hughes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hughes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $558K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hughes County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Hughes County ranks #58 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hughes County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Hughes County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 7 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in April 2024.
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. Hughes County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.