Wintersmith Park Historic District · Photo: Brad Holt · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Ada’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ada gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #48 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hail (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Ada 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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.
What’s behind Ada’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ada, and Ada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #48 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ada’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ada has less expected damage per building than 64% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Ada: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ada flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ada, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ada isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pontotoc County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ada
Disasters that paid out in Ada itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ada), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding309 households applied for aid$654K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$16K to the City of Ada for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding130 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$94K to the City of Ada for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$144K to the City of Ada for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Ada for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes90 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$39K to the City of Ada for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$44K to the City of Ada for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes41 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$49K to the City of Ada for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$1.0M to the City of Ada for repairs
Pontotoc County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Ada after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ada archive →Ada and its neighbors
Ada has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Ada faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ada
Is Ada at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ada has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #48 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hail (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ada flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Ada since 1983, $511K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Ada 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 Pontotoc County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ada?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ada’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 Ada?
By FEMA money that reached Ada, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $1.0M to the City of Ada for repairs.
Is Ada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Ada’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ada.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ada’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.