Payne County
Oklahoma — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Payne County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.9, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $50M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.07 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.16 / yr | $15M |
| Hail | High | 11.20 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.85 / yr | $11M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 19.26 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.42 / yr | $234K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.85 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 36.39 / yr | $565K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $404K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.63 / yr | $168K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| 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 Payne County?
Payne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Payne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $15M EAL), Hail (High, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Payne County compare to other Oklahoma counties?
Payne County ranks #6 of 77 Oklahoma counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Payne County's $50M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.