Latimer County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Latimer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.6, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Latimer County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $434K in expected annual loss and about 1.40 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $464K in expected annual loss and about 23.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Latimer County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Latimer County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Latimer County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.40 / yr | $434K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 23.95 / yr | $464K |
| Hail | Low | 6.31 / yr | $216K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $816K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $742 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.42 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.39 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $68K |
| Lightning | Low | 59.97 / yr | $74K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.13 / yr | $140K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $154K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 28.17 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Latimer County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Severe Ice Storm (6), Tornado (4).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| January 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Latimer County?
Latimer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Latimer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $434K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $464K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Latimer County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Latimer County ranks #56 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Latimer County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Latimer County since 1968, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 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. Latimer County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.