McClain County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
McClain County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.8, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates McClain County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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.
Most of McClain County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $995K in expected annual loss and about 1.43 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.69 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 11.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, McClain County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: McClain County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 17 for severe storm events and 10 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Dibble Creek Fire (fire), declared in March 2026.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, McClain County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.43 / yr | $995K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $8M |
| Hail | Medium | 11.40 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.89 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 34.81 / yr | $820K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.58 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.89 / yr | $147K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $407K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $8M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.11 / yr | $89K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.22 / yr | $181K |
| 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
McClain County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Dibble Creek Fire in March 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (17), Severe Ice Storm (10), Fire (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Fire | Dibble Creek Fire |
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Tornado | 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 44 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McClain County?
McClain County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McClain County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $995K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $8M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McClain County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
McClain County ranks #35 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McClain County had?
FEMA records 44 federal disaster declarations for McClain County since 1970, most often 17 for severe storm events and 10 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Dibble Creek Fire, declared in March 2026.
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. McClain County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.