Nowata County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Nowata County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.8, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm 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 Nowata County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 40.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.70 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $896K in expected annual loss and about 1.04 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $297K in expected annual loss and about 34.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nowata 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.
History supports the rating: Nowata County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1986, including 14 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (tornado), declared in April 2024.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Nowata County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.70 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.04 / yr | $896K |
| Drought | Medium | 34.48 / yr | $297K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.56 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 23.53 / yr | $452K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $396 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.37 / yr | $27K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 54.63 / yr | $68K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 8.15 / yr | $58K |
| 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
Nowata County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1986, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Severe Ice Storm (8), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| November 2015 | Fire | Dld Fire Complex |
| 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 31 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nowata County?
Nowata County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nowata County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $896K EAL), Drought (Medium, $297K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nowata County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Nowata County ranks #51 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nowata County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Nowata County since 1986, most often 14 for severe storm events and 8 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in April 2024.
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. Nowata County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.