Tahlequah, OK
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Tahlequah is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cherokee County, OK. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, wildfire, and heat wave.
Storm events near Tahlequah
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Tahlequah's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Tahlequah itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Cherokee County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Tahlequah along with the rest of the county, not a Tahlequah-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 94.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 77.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 60.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 93 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 81.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 61.5 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 88.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 66.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 32.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 96.1 | Very High |
| Landslide | 65.3 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 83 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 51.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 76.3 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cherokee County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cherokee County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Tahlequah, OK at risk of?
Tahlequah 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 Cherokee County, where Tahlequah is located, are ice storm, wildfire, and heat wave.
What is Tahlequah's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Cherokee County, where Tahlequah is located, scoring 96.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Tahlequah a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Tahlequah carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Cherokee County.
Has Tahlequah had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 52 tornado, 97 hail, 61 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Tahlequah since 2016.