Stephens County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Stephens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.9, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Stephens County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 65.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 11.24 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.94 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $981K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stephens County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Stephens County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 for severe storm events and 9 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in March 2025.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Stephens County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 11.24 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.94 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $981K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.36 / yr | $693K |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.66 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 19.42 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 53.87 / yr | $613K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.84 / yr | $90K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $472K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.39 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $833 |
| Lightning | Low | 51.71 / yr | $127K |
| 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
Stephens County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in March 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Severe Ice Storm (9), Fire (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2025 | Fire | Wildhorse Fire |
| July 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Stephens County?
Stephens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stephens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $981K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stephens County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Stephens County ranks #31 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stephens County had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Stephens County since 1973, most often 15 for severe storm events and 9 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, 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. Stephens County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.