Woods County, Oklahoma Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Woods County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.1, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Woods County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 28.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 Woods County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 2.74 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 77.30 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $322K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Woods County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Woods County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 13 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2024.
Among 77 Oklahoma counties, Woods County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.74 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Medium | 77.30 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $322K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.83 / yr | $334K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.47 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Low | 8.43 / yr | $563K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.47 / yr | $330K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.07 / yr | $793K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.74 / yr | $23K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.06 / yr | $192K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 47.85 / yr | $37K |
| 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
Woods County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Severe Ice Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| March 2017 | Fire | Nw Oklahoma Wildfire Outbreak Complex |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Woods County?
Woods County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Woods County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $322K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Woods County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Woods County ranks #66 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Woods County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Woods County since 1993, most often 13 for severe storm events and 6 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 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. Woods County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.