Photo: Justin Cozart from Dallas, TX, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bartlesville than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartlesville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #116 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 261 claims here since 1979.
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 Bartlesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bartlesville 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
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 Bartlesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bartlesville, and Bartlesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #116 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bartlesville’s residents live in 13 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, Bartlesville has more expected damage per building than 88% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.2M a year in losses across Bartlesville: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bartlesville flood? Yes: 261 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bartlesville, from FEMA’s records: 15.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms45 claims · $1.5M
Bartlesville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bartlesville
Disasters that paid out in Bartlesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bartlesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding271 households applied for aid$568K aid approved$590K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding108 households applied for aid$225K aid approved$110K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$32K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$30K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$24K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes175 households applied for aid$686K aid approved$109K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$50K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes51 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$6K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$21K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$89K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Washington County has had 21 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2015–2026.
Old photos of Bartlesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bartlesville archive →Bartlesville and its neighbors
Bartlesville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dewey | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Bartlesville | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 261 |
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 Bartlesville 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.
- 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.
- Bartlesville residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bartlesville
Is Bartlesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartlesville has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #116 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bartlesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 261 claims in Bartlesville since 1979, $7.0M in all, or 15.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (45).
Is Bartlesville 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 Washington County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bartlesville?
Bartlesville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bartlesville?
By FEMA money that reached Bartlesville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 271 households applied for aid, $568K approved, and $590K to the City of Bartlesville for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 45 paid, $1.5M.
Is Bartlesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Bartlesville’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bartlesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bartlesville’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.