Natural Disaster Risk in Custer County

Natural Hazard Profile: Custer County, Oklahoma

Custer County, in the United States in Oklahoma, is characterized by its semi-arid climate — hot summers, variable winters, and exposure at the center of Tornado Alley. The county faces a globally significant tornado season that peaks in spring, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

Custer County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.7/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Secondary hazards include tornado and hail.

Within Oklahoma, Custer County's risk is, near the 6.4/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Custer County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by tornado and hail. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Custer County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.