McAlester, OK

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 18,108 · Part of Pittsburg County

McAlester is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Pittsburg County, OK. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, wildfire, and drought.

Storm events near McAlester

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of McAlester's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to McAlester itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 16 events
Hail 77 events
Inland Flooding 25 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Pittsburg County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering McAlester along with the rest of the county, not a McAlester-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 95.2 Relatively Moderate
Inland Flooding 67.1 Relatively Low
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 58 Very Low
Heat Wave 89.7 Relatively Moderate
Tornado 81.2 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 60.2 Relatively Low
Drought 95 Relatively High
Hail 91.9 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane 44.1 Very Low
Ice Storm 95.7 Very High
Landslide 55.2 Very Low
Lightning 62.5 Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind 56.3 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 73.4 Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Pittsburg County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Pittsburg County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is McAlester, OK at risk of?

McAlester is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Pittsburg County, where McAlester is located, are ice storm, wildfire, and drought.

What is McAlester's biggest natural hazard risk?

Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Pittsburg County, where McAlester is located, scoring 95.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").

Is McAlester a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — McAlester carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Pittsburg County.

Has McAlester had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 16 tornado, 77 hail, 25 inland flooding events within 25 miles of McAlester since 2016.