Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Pottawatomie County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.3, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pottawatomie County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.22 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 10.78 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 72K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pottawatomie County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Pottawatomie County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 16 for severe storm events and 10 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was East Thunderbird Fire (fire), declared in March 2025.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Pottawatomie County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.96 / yr | $13M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.22 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | High | 10.78 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 19.16 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.58 / yr | $248K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 29.70 / yr | $789K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.19 / yr | $504K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.34 / yr | $733K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $554K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.11 / yr | $9M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| 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
Pottawatomie County has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently East Thunderbird Fire in March 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (10), Fire (7).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Fire | East Thunderbird Fire |
| March 2025 | Fire | Clear Pond Fire |
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| June 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2020 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 44 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pottawatomie County?
Pottawatomie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pottawatomie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $13M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Hail (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pottawatomie County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Pottawatomie County ranks #11 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pottawatomie County had?
FEMA records 44 federal disaster declarations for Pottawatomie County since 1970, most often 16 for severe storm events and 10 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was East Thunderbird Fire, declared in March 2025.
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. Pottawatomie County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.