Ottawa County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Ottawa County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.0, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ottawa County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 76.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 Ottawa County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.19 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 18.93 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 6.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ottawa County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Ottawa County has received 34 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 15 for severe storm events and 7 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, Ottawa County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.19 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | High | 18.93 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.46 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 18.79 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 4.39 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.11 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.26 / yr | $84K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $321K |
| Hail | Low | 7.78 / yr | $210K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.50 / yr | $173K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| 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
Ottawa County has received 34 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Severe Ice Storm (7), Tornado (4).
| 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 |
| May 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 34 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ottawa County?
Ottawa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ottawa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Drought (High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ottawa County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Ottawa County ranks #21 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ottawa County had?
FEMA records 34 federal disaster declarations for Ottawa County since 1974, most often 15 for severe storm events and 7 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. Ottawa County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.