Pontotoc County in south-central Oklahoma sits in a high-frequency tornado corridor and has experienced repeated strikes over the past two decades. The county's rural character and limited shelter infrastructure make tornado events particularly dangerous for residents in mobile homes and older structures. Flash flooding from the Blue River and Pennington Creek adds secondary hazard risk.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Identify an interior room or storm shelter.
- Monitor NOAA weather alerts continuously.
- Keep emergency kit accessible at all times.
- Prepare for sudden power outages.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 7 / 10 High Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Severe Storm |
| Secondary Hazard | Flash Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone X (High Tornado Risk) |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 36 |
| Last Major Event | Tornado (April 2020) |
| Event Frequency | Major event every 4–5 years |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (580) 332-2521 |
| Emergency Shelters | 8 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-377 North, US-177 South, OK-1 East |
// County Profile
| County | Pontotoc County OK |
| State | Oklahoma (OK) |
| Population | 38,284 |
| Area | 720 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Zone X (High Tornado Risk) |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Oklahoma Counties
Cleveland County OK
Tornado / Severe Storm
9/10
Critical
Oklahoma County OK
Tornado / Severe Storm
8/10
High
Tulsa County OK
Tornado / Severe Storm
8/10
High
Canadian County OK
Tornado / Severe Storm
8/10
High
Greer County OK
Tornado / Dust Storm
7/10
Moderate
Woods County OK
Tornado / Dust Storm
7/10
Moderate