Photo: Emersonbiggins85 at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Ardmore’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ardmore gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #45 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1985.
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 stands out about Ardmore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ardmore 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Ardmore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ardmore, and Ardmore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #45 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ardmore’s residents live in 12 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, Ardmore has less expected damage per building than 66% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.5M a year in losses across Ardmore: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ardmore flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ardmore, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill9 claims · $769K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $3K
Ardmore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carter County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ardmore
Disasters that paid out in Ardmore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ardmore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding446 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$268K to the City of Ardmore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms65 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$10K to the City of Ardmore for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding343 households applied for aid$845K aid approved$483K to the City of Ardmore for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds14 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$18K to the City of Ardmore for repairs
- 2009Wildfires10 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes83 households applied for aid$201K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes24 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$104K to the City of Ardmore for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$485K to the City of Ardmore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Carter County has had 24 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Carter County, 2005–2026.
Old photos of Ardmore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ardmore archive →Ardmore and its neighbors
Ardmore has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ardmore | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Dickson | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gene Autry | — | 224 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Springer | — | 854 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Ardmore 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ardmore
Is Ardmore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ardmore has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #45 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ardmore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Ardmore since 1985, $1.3M in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (9).
Is Ardmore 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 Carter County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ardmore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ardmore’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 Ardmore?
By FEMA money that reached Ardmore, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 446 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $268K to the City of Ardmore for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 9 paid, $769K.
Is Ardmore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Ardmore’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ardmore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ardmore’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.