Major County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Major County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.2, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Major County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.2 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.94 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.06 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 84.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Major 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: Major County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 18 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in July 2023.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Major County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.94 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 8.06 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 84.13 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.74 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $124K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.16 / yr | $292K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.76 / yr | $872K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.27 / yr | $298K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.42 / yr | $27K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.36 / yr | $21K |
| 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
Major County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Severe Ice Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| December 2020 | 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 |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Major County?
Major County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.2 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 Major County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Major County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Major County ranks #57 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Major County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Major County since 1974, most often 18 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in July 2023.
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. Major County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.