Le Flore County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Le Flore County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.7, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Le Flore County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 82.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.32 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 22.83 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 48K.
Beyond physical exposure, Le Flore 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.
History supports the rating: Le Flore County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 12 for severe storm events and 7 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Le Flore County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.32 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 22.83 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 24.63 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.07 / yr | $16M |
| Lightning | Medium | 61.92 / yr | $419K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.47 / yr | $112K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.44 / yr | $713K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.27 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $446K |
| Hail | Low | 6.03 / yr | $292K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $805K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $86K |
| 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
Le Flore County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Severe Ice Storm (7), Flood (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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Le Flore County?
Le Flore County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Le Flore County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Le Flore County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Le Flore County ranks #10 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Le Flore County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Le Flore County since 1968, most often 12 for severe storm events and 7 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. Le Flore County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.