Pushmataha County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

32.8

National percentile: 33th

Pushmataha County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.8, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Risk Overview

Overall natural disaster risk in Pushmataha County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 32.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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.

The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $671K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $458K in expected annual loss and about 1.32 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $518K in expected annual loss and about 42.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.

Beyond physical exposure, Pushmataha 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.

The federal record bears this out: Pushmataha County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 15 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in July 2023.

Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Pushmataha County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $6M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 11K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Low $671K/yr
High $458K/yr
Medium $518K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.01 / yr$671K
Ice Storm High 1.32 / yr$458K
Drought Medium 42.46 / yr$518K
Heat Wave Low 23.42 / yr$566K
Hail Low 5.30 / yr$215K
Tornado Low 0.97 / yr$877K
Landslide Very Low 1.08 / yr$738
Winter Weather Low 5.42 / yr$28K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr$79K
Riverine Flood Low 1.57 / yr$3M
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr$10K
Lightning Low 61.88 / yr$59K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.79 / yr$179K
Strong Wind Low 3.07 / yr$132K
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

Pushmataha County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Severe Ice Storm (6), Flood (3).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
July 2023Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
February 2021Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
February 2021Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
April 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
July 2019Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
June 2019Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
February 2016Severe StormSevere Winter Storms and Flooding
May 2015Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
January 2014Severe StormSevere Winter Storm

Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pushmataha County?

Pushmataha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Pushmataha County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $671K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $458K EAL), Drought (Medium, $518K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Pushmataha County compare to other Oklahoma counties?

Pushmataha County ranks #59 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Pushmataha County had?

FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Pushmataha County since 1968, most often 15 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in July 2023.

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. Pushmataha County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.