Washington County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.1, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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.
Most of Washington County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 24.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 52K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Washington County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 9 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Rattlesnake Fire (fire), declared in February 2026.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Washington County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.12 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.42 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 24.21 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $315K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $14M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.21 / yr | $123K |
| Drought | Medium | 35.18 / yr | $379K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $311K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.81 / yr | $537K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.10 / yr | $229K |
| Hail | Low | 8.33 / yr | $245K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Washington County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Rattlesnake Fire in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (9), Fire (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Fire | Rattlesnake Fire |
| April 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2023 | Fire | Gap Road Fire, Oklahoma Fmag |
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| November 2015 | Fire | Dld Fire Complex |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $8M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Washington County ranks #20 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 9 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Rattlesnake Fire, declared in February 2026.
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. Washington County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.