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Blackwell, OklahomaPhoto: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Blackwell · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Blackwell faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackwell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #112 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 118 claims here since 1984.

River and rain flooding 67%Tornadoes 13%Hail 9%

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

more than 84%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#112 of 131 in Oklahoma
Hazard risk
C−#112 of 131
in Oklahoma · higher than 84% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
67% of expected building damage
Flood claims
118
paid since 1984 · $1.3M
Flooded more than once
15
properties · 4 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
11
of 30 declared for Kay County

What stands out about Blackwell’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

118 paid flood claims since 1984$1.3M in all; 15 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 90% of U.S. towns.Made safer with FEMA grants3 storm safe rooms built with FEMA grants.Remembers 200835 flood claims were paid for 2008 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Blackwell 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

67%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts

Hail

9%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 10 times a year in the area

Ice storms

7%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Strong wind Earthquakes Wildfire Winter storms Lightning Hurricanes Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 20% of Blackwell’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Blackwell’s grade

River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blackwell, and Blackwell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Blackwell sits
Blackwell
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #112 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Blackwell’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding67%Tornadoes13%Hail9%Everything else11%

The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Blackwell has more expected damage per building than 85% of Oklahoma towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Blackwell: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Blackwell covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Blackwell flood? Yes: 118 flood claims since 1984

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blackwell, from FEMA’s records: 35.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1984: 1 claim1985: 3 claims1986: 10 claims1987: 8 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 13 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 4 claims1996: 3 claims1997: 3 claims1998: 21 claims1999: 2 claims2000: 1 claim2001: 0 claims2002: 3 claims2003: 1 claim2004: 1 claim2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 2 claims2008: 35 claims2009: 2 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 1 claim2019: 4 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199319982008
19842026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Ike29 claims · $682K
  • The Thunderstorms2 claims · $13K
118
paid claims since 1984
$1.3M
paid to owners
15
homes flooded more than once
$11K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (4)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Blackwell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Kay County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
3storm safe rooms built
Disasters

11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blackwell

Disasters that paid out in Blackwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blackwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
  2. 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$334K to the City of Blackwell for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
  3. 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Blackwell for repairs
  4. 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$83K to the City of Blackwell for repairs
  5. 2009Severe Winter Storm$25K to the City of Blackwell for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
  6. 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$151K to the City of Blackwell for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
  1. 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$805K to the City of Blackwell for repairs
  2. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$900 to the City of Blackwell for repairs
  3. 2007Severe Winter Storms$12K to the City of Blackwell for repairs
  4. 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$578K to the City of Blackwell for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$52K to the City of Blackwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in BlackwellKay County only

Kay County has had 30 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kay County, 2006–2006.

Were you here?

Old photos of Blackwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Blackwell archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Blackwell faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Ice storms
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Blackwell

Is Blackwell at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackwell has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #112 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Blackwell flood?

Flood insurance has paid 118 claims in Blackwell since 1984, $1.3M in all, or 35.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (29).

Is Blackwell 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 Kay County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Blackwell?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blackwell’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 Blackwell?

By FEMA money that reached Blackwell, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): $805K to the City of Blackwell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 29 paid, $682K.

Is Blackwell at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Blackwell’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blackwell.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blackwell’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.