More hazard damage per building is expected in Bethel Acres than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethel Acres gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #99 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then tornadoes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bethel Acres 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 Bethel Acres’ grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bethel Acres, and Bethel Acres’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #99 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bethel Acres’ residents live in 2 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, Bethel Acres has more expected damage per building than 75% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Bethel Acres: $773K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bethel Acres flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bethel Acres. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bethel Acres isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pottawatomie County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bethel Acres
Disasters that paid out in Bethel Acres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bethel Acres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the Town of Bethel Acres for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$4K to the Town of Bethel Acres for repairs
Pottawatomie County has had 29 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pottawatomie County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Bethel Acres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bethel Acres archive →Bethel Acres and its neighbors
Bethel Acres is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Bethel Acres 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 Bethel Acres
Is Bethel Acres at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethel Acres has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #99 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bethel Acres 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 Pottawatomie County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bethel Acres?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bethel Acres’ 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 Bethel Acres?
By FEMA money that reached Bethel Acres, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2010): $4K to the Town of Bethel Acres for repairs.
Is Bethel Acres at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Bethel Acres’ rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bethel Acres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bethel Acres’ 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.