Tillman County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Tillman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.4, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tillman County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 120.03 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $170K in expected annual loss and about 1.17 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $350K in expected annual loss and about 10.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tillman County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Tillman County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for severe storm events and 8 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, Tillman County ranks #75 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 120.03 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.17 / yr | $170K |
| Hail | Low | 10.04 / yr | $350K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $569K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 13.95 / yr | $269K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.69 / yr | $703K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $72K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $288K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.37 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $57 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $748K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.17 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Tillman County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Severe Ice Storm (8), Flood (5).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Tillman County?
Tillman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tillman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $170K EAL), Hail (Low, $350K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tillman County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Tillman County ranks #75 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tillman County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Tillman County since 1973, most often 16 for severe storm events and 8 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. Tillman County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.