Harmon County, Oklahoma
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Harmon County, Oklahoma has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 90% of US counties. It ranks 76th of 77 counties in Oklahoma. The costliest hazards here are drought, strong wind and tornadoes. FEMA estimates about $3.3 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,328 per resident. Since 1995 it has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (12 major disasters). The most recent was in February 2021 (severe winter storms). Only 5 homes here carry federal flood insurance. Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $195,000 on 27 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Harmon County
- Check local water restrictions.
- Choose drought-tolerant plants.
- Secure outdoor furniture and trash bins before storms.
- Have trees near the house checked.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | 92.0 | $1M | ||
| Strong wind | 58.7 | $473K | ||
| Tornado | 33.7 | $426K | ||
| Inland flooding | 3.8 | $399K | ||
| Hail | 61.8 | $272K | ||
| Cold wave | 21.0 | $164K | ||
| Ice storm | 57.3 | $80K | ||
| Heat wave | 25.7 | $70K | ||
| Wildfire | 58.0 | $50K | ||
| Earthquake | 20.9 | $21K | ||
| Winter weather | 26.1 | $17K | ||
| Lightning | 5.5 | $12K | ||
| Hurricane | 17.0 | $3K | ||
| Landslide | 21.5 | $91 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very high and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Harmon County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 18
Oklahoma also had 43 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1952
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 501 storm reports in Harmon County since 1952, with 0 deaths and 6 injuries and about $3.3 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F2 tornado on May 6, 1965.
Strongest tornadoes
| Date | Strength | Near | Hurt / killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 1965 | F2 | – | 2 / 0 |
| May 6, 1968 | F2 | – | 0 / 0 |
| May 13, 1983 | F2 | – | 0 / 0 |
| May 13, 1983 | F2 | – | 0 / 0 |
| May 13, 1983 | F2 | – | 0 / 0 |
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 8, 1999 | Hail | Gould | $640K |
| Dec 12, 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hollis | $500K |
| Apr 28, 2006 | Hail | Vinson | $350K |
| May 6, 1965 | Tornado | – | $250K |
| May 6, 1968 | Tornado | – | $250K |
| May 13, 1983 | Tornado | – | $250K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jun 23, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Harmon County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Harmon County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 1,354 housing units.
Compare in Oklahoma
All 77 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma County | Inland flooding | |
| Tulsa County | Inland flooding | |
| Cleveland County | Inland flooding | |
| Canadian County | Inland flooding | |
| Comanche County | Inland flooding | |
| Rogers County | Inland flooding | |
| Payne County | Cold wave | |
| Wagoner County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 28 | |
| Beckham County | 26 | |
| Childress County, TX | 12 | |
| Greer County | 20 | |
| Hardeman County, TX | 14 | |
| Collingsworth County, TX | 12 |
Common questions about Harmon County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Harmon County?
Drought has the highest expected yearly losses in Harmon County, about $1.3 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Strong wind is second at $472,795.
How many federal disasters has Harmon County had?
Harmon County has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1995, including 12 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms in February 2021.
Is Harmon County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 76th highest of 77 in Oklahoma. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Harmon County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 333 homes in Harmon County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Harmon County had?
NOAA records list 38 tornadoes in Harmon County since 1950. The strongest was an F2 tornado on May 6, 1965. The weather service has also logged 286 hail reports and 4 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.