Pontotoc County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Pontotoc County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.9, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pontotoc County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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 — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.57 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.04 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 38K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pontotoc County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pontotoc County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 11 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, Pontotoc County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.57 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 9.04 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | High | 54.76 / yr | $753K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 20.47 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 34.32 / yr | $663K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.13 / yr | $960K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.63 / yr | $124K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.22 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $361K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Pontotoc County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Severe Ice Storm (7), Tornado (2).
| 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 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2010 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pontotoc County?
Pontotoc County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pontotoc County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pontotoc County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Pontotoc County ranks #34 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pontotoc County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Pontotoc County since 1970, most often 11 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. Pontotoc County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.