Love County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Love County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.1, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Love County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 21.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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.
Most of Love County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 45.07 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $335K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $859K in expected annual loss and about 3.62 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Love County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Love County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 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, Love County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 45.07 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $335K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.62 / yr | $859K |
| Hail | Low | 8.87 / yr | $412K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $128K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.45 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 19.89 / yr | $430K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.68 / yr | $17K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $182K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 53.46 / yr | $36K |
| 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
Love County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Severe Ice Storm (6), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Love County?
Love County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Love County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $335K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $859K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Love County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Love County ranks #71 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Love County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Love County since 1973, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 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. Love County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.