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Akron CemeteryAkron Cemetery · Photo: Kennethrorie · CC BY-SA 3.0
–Not graded
Natural hazards in Oil Trough · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Oil Trough

Oil Trough isn’t graded for hazard risk: Oil Trough has 259 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1990.

Flood claims
12
paid since 1990 · $237K
Flooded more than once
2
properties
Disasters paid out here
6
of 27 declared for Independence County
By hazard

What Oil Trough faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

River and rain flooding

44%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Earthquakes

19%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts

Ice storms

14%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 6 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Wildfire Strong wind Hail Winter storms top 3% Lightning top 1% Hurricanes Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts tornadoes at 23% of Oil Trough’s expected losses. Tornadoes do little damage to buildings (13.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Oil Trough flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1990

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oil Trough, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
1990: 1 claim1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 1 claim2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 8 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 1 claim2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 1 claim2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199020042008
19902026
Biggest named events
  • The March storm5 claims · $198K
12
paid claims since 1990
$237K
paid to owners
2
homes flooded more than once
$20K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Oil Trough isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Independence County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
2storm safe rooms built
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oil Trough

Disasters that paid out in Oil Trough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oil Trough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$12K to the Town of Oil Trough for repairs
  2. 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
  3. 2009Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Town of Oil Trough for repairs
  4. 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$45K to the Town of Oil Trough for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$9K to the Town of Oil Trough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  6. 2002Severe Ice Storm$5K to the Town of Oil Trough for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Oil TroughIndependence County only

Independence County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.

Were you here?

Old photos of Oil Trough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Oil Trough archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Oil Trough faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
  • Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
  • Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Ice storms
  • Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
  • Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
  • Keep sand or salt by the door.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
  • A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
  • Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
  • Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
  • Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Oil Trough

Does Oil Trough flood?

Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Oil Trough since 1990, $237K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (5).

Is Oil Trough in a flood zone?

Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Independence County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Oil Trough?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oil Trough’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.

What was the biggest storm in Oil Trough?

By FEMA money that reached Oil Trough, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 32 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $45K to the Town of Oil Trough for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 5 paid, $198K.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oil Trough.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oil Trough’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.