McCurtain County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
McCurtain County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.0, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
McCurtain County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 72.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $866K in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 33.06 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, McCurtain 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: McCurtain County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 11 for severe storm events and 6 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, McCurtain County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.09 / yr | $866K |
| Drought | High | 33.06 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.40 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.87 / yr | $718K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.37 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $193K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.17 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.14 / yr | $10M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.15 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Medium | 64.10 / yr | $261K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $360K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.42 / yr | $51K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $80K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $590K |
| 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
McCurtain County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (6), 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McCurtain County?
McCurtain County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McCurtain County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $866K EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McCurtain County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
McCurtain County ranks #29 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McCurtain County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for McCurtain County since 1972, most often 11 for severe storm events and 6 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. McCurtain County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.