Murray County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Murray County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.5, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Murray County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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 Murray County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $98K in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $400K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $327K in expected annual loss and about 1.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Murray County has a 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: Murray County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 7 for severe ice storm events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Buck Horn Fire (fire), declared in March 2026.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Murray County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $98K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $400K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.49 / yr | $327K |
| Hail | Medium | 8.96 / yr | $502K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 39.30 / yr | $344K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 19.32 / yr | $548K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.81 / yr | $461K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.58 / yr | $37K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.85 / yr | $112K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $404K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.25 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Murray County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Buck Horn Fire in March 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Ice Storm (7), Severe Storm (6), Fire (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Fire | Buck Horn Fire |
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Falls Creek Fire |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Murray County?
Murray County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Murray County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $98K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $400K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $327K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Murray County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Murray County ranks #60 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Murray County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Murray County since 1970, most often 7 for severe ice storm events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Buck Horn 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. Murray County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.