Nowata County
Oklahoma — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Nowata County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.8, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.70 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.04 / yr | $896K |
| Drought | Medium | 34.48 / yr | $297K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.56 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 23.53 / yr | $452K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $396 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.37 / yr | $27K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 54.63 / yr | $68K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 8.15 / yr | $58K |
| 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 Nowata County?
Nowata County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nowata County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $896K EAL), Drought (Medium, $297K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nowata County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Nowata County ranks #51 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Nowata County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.