Pittsburg County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Pittsburg County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.3, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pittsburg County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 73.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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 Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.56 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 29.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 44K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pittsburg 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: Pittsburg County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 16 for severe storm events and 6 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, Pittsburg County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.56 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 29.86 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.81 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 24.84 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.27 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.26 / yr | $106K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.25 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.10 / yr | $252K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $969K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $282K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.87 / yr | $449K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $29K |
| 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
Pittsburg County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (6), Flood (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 |
| July 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pittsburg County?
Pittsburg County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pittsburg County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Drought (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pittsburg County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Pittsburg County ranks #27 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pittsburg County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Pittsburg County since 1970, most often 16 for severe storm events and 6 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. Pittsburg County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.