FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bixby than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bixby gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #106 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 230 claims here since 1980.
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 Bixby’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bixby 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
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 Bixby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bixby, and Bixby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #106 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bixby’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, Bixby has more expected damage per building than 81% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.0M a year in losses across Bixby: $9.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bixby flood? Yes: 230 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bixby, from FEMA’s records: 20.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms9 claims · $447K
Bixby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tulsa County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bixby
Disasters that paid out in Bixby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bixby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding67 households applied for aid$196K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms30 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$516K to the City of Bixby for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the City of Bixby for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$191K to the City of Bixby for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$20K to the City of Bixby for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$1K to the City of Bixby for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$87K to the City of Bixby for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
Tulsa County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Tulsa County, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Bixby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bixby archive →Bixby and its neighbors
Bixby is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenpool | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Tulsa | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,197 |
| Broken Arrow | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Jenks | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bixby | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 230 |
| Leonard | — | 165 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 Bixby 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.
- 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 Bixby
Is Bixby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bixby has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #106 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bixby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 230 claims in Bixby since 1980, $4.0M in all, or 20.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (9).
Is Bixby 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 Tulsa County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bixby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bixby’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 Bixby?
By FEMA money that reached Bixby, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 39 households applied for aid, $113K approved, and $516K to the City of Bixby for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 9 paid, $447K.
Is Bixby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Bixby’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bixby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bixby’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.