Marshall County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Marshall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.0, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Marshall County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th national percentile and below the national average 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 High risk — $492K in expected annual loss and about 1.42 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.36 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $602K in expected annual loss and about 7.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marshall 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.
The federal record bears this out: Marshall County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1981, including 7 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, Marshall County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.42 / yr | $492K |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.36 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 7.79 / yr | $602K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $230K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.58 / yr | $703K |
| Drought | Medium | 39.16 / yr | $380K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $125K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.40 / yr | $107K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $367K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.37 / yr | $23K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $186 |
| 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
Marshall County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1981, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Severe Ice Storm (6), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| July 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marshall County?
Marshall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marshall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $492K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $602K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marshall County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Marshall County ranks #45 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marshall County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Marshall County since 1981, most often 7 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. Marshall County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.