Kay County

Oklahoma — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

79.9

National percentile: 80th

Kay County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.9, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $34M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 44K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Ice Storm
High $1M/yr
Cold Wave
High $8M/yr
Tornado
High $8M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Ice Storm High 0.79 / yr $1M
Cold Wave High 2.68 / yr $8M
Tornado High 0.91 / yr $8M
Hail Medium 9.60 / yr $2M
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $883K
Drought Medium 59.24 / yr $938K
Heat Wave Medium 17.32 / yr $1M
Winter Weather Medium 8.89 / yr $137K
Riverine Flood Low 2.11 / yr $10M
Strong Wind Medium 6.66 / yr $645K
Lightning Medium 51.19 / yr $258K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $248K
Landslide Very Low 0.14 / yr $1K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $7K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kay County?

Kay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Kay County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Tornado (High, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Kay County compare to other Oklahoma counties?

Kay County ranks #15 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

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. Kay County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.