Washita County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Washita County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.9, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Washita County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 31.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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.
Most of Washita County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 79.27 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $547K in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $520K in expected annual loss and about 9.44 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washita County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Washita County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 18 for severe storm events and 10 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, Washita County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 79.27 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.09 / yr | $547K |
| Hail | Medium | 9.44 / yr | $520K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $108K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.61 / yr | $603K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.87 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.74 / yr | $51K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.89 / yr | $707K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.42 / yr | $194K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $118K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $512 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.20 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Washita County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in March 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (18), Severe Ice Storm (10), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2017 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 37 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washita County?
Washita County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washita County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $547K EAL), Hail (Medium, $520K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washita County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Washita County ranks #63 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washita County had?
FEMA records 37 federal disaster declarations for Washita County since 1973, most often 18 for severe storm events and 10 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. Washita County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.