Kiowa County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Kiowa County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.8, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kiowa County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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 Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 112.34 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $304K in expected annual loss and about 1.07 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $473K in expected annual loss and about 10.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kiowa County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Kiowa County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1983, including 16 for severe storm events and 10 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Sunny Fire (fire), declared in December 2025.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Kiowa County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 112.34 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.07 / yr | $304K |
| Hail | Medium | 10.06 / yr | $473K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $132K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.00 / yr | $588K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.82 / yr | $595K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $883 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $158K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.74 / yr | $514K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.84 / yr | $35K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.35 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Kiowa County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1983, most recently Sunny Fire in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (10), Fire (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Fire | Sunny Fire |
| 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 |
| May 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kiowa County?
Kiowa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kiowa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $304K EAL), Hail (Medium, $473K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kiowa County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Kiowa County ranks #55 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kiowa County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Kiowa County since 1983, most often 16 for severe storm events and 10 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Sunny Fire, declared in December 2025.
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. Kiowa County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.