Arkoma School · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0Arkoma’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arkoma gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then ice storms (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2015.
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 Arkoma 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Arkoma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arkoma, and Arkoma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Arkoma’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Arkoma: $256K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arkoma flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arkoma, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Arkoma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Le Flore County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arkoma
Disasters that paid out in Arkoma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Arkoma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$97K to the Town of Arkoma for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$15K to the Town of Arkoma for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Arkoma for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$7K to the Town of Arkoma for repairs
Le Flore County has had 26 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 Arkoma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arkoma archive →Arkoma and its neighbors
Arkoma is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 272 |
| Arkoma | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Pocola | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Arkoma 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Arkoma
Is Arkoma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arkoma has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and ice storms (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arkoma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Arkoma since 2015, $78K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Arkoma 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 Le Flore County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arkoma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arkoma’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 Arkoma?
By FEMA money that reached Arkoma, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 4 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $97K to the Town of Arkoma for repairs.
Is Arkoma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Arkoma’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arkoma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arkoma’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.